What Gov. Eric Holcomb, police officials said about closing Indiana Statehouse this week

Gov. Eric Holcomb on Thursday stood by his decision to close the Indiana Statehouse and suspend the week's legislative activities though there were no substantial protests in Indianapolis around Inauguration Day.

“My first priority is to make sure that we are in a safe environment," Holcomb said Thursday. "This was a week like I can’t remember another — at least in my lifetime. I will always err on the side of caution and always be safe, not sorry."

Last week, Holcomb said he would close the Statehouse to the public both Tuesday and Wednesday, Inauguration Day, "out of an abundance of caution." He cited a combination of "recent national events," threats to other state capitols and COVID-19 restrictions as reasons at the time. 

That announcement came after an FBI bulletin obtained by ABC News on Monday indicated armed protesters planned to march on every state capitol building ahead of Inauguration Day. 

It also followed the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 in which supporters of President Donald Trump stormed the nation's seat of government, disrupting the certification of the presidential election and leading to the deaths of five people.

But Indianapolis was largely quiet. 

There were no protests, demonstrations or disturbances in downtown Indianapolis as Joe Biden took the oath of office in Washington D.C. Wednesday afternoon. Days before that — when law enforcement indicated they heard of a planned protest — the Statehouse remained quiet. 

COVID emergency orders:Gov. Holcomb extends COVID-19 emergency order again -- but will reevaluate in a week

Indiana and President Biden:What Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb said about working with the Biden administration on COVID

State of the State:Holcomb announces COVID-19 recovery program and other takeaways from State of the State

Holcomb said he is "pleased" there were no issues at the Statehouse and noted his decision to suspend legislative activities this week have not impacted lawmakers' schedules. 

“I’m also doubly pleased that we haven’t lost any progress in terms of the legislative calendar in this four-month period," he said, noting he recently spoke with Indiana Senate President Pro Tem Rodric Bray and House Speaker Todd Huston on the topic.

 Indiana State Police Superintendent Doug Carter echoed Holcomb's sentiments. 

Carter said police cannot "anticipate human behavior" and added that the Christmas Day bombing in downtown Nashville, the riot at the U.S. Capitol and "one of the most divisive transfers of power in our country’s history" were motivating factors in closing the Statehouse.

Carter noted police did not fortify governmental buildings but said state police and other agencies like the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department had plans in place to protect the Statehouse if something happened.

"The good news is it didn’t," he said Thursday.

Contact Lawrence Andrea at 317-775-4313 or landrea@indystar.com. Follow him on Twitter @lawrencegandrea.