Security Agencies Alter Strategies, Add Backup for Inauguration Week

[babylonsister]

Security Agencies Alter Strategies, Add Backup for Inauguration Week

By Mary Beth Sheridan
Washington Post Staff Writer
Sunday, January 4, 2009; Page A01


Authorities are organizing what appears to be the largest security operation ever for an inauguration, bringing in thousands of extra police, agents and troops to handle crowds as President-elect Barack Obama is sworn in.

Security officials are bracing not just for the ceremony and parade Jan. 20 but also for at least 70 concerts, balls and other events surrounding the inauguration. Those include the welcome celebration featuring Obama on Jan. 18 at the Lincoln Memorial, which could draw 500,000 people, according to the D.C. mayor's office.

"You've gone from a one-day event to a four-day event," said Joseph Persichini Jr., head of the FBI's Washington Field Office, which will bring in about 20 percent more employees than usual for the activities.

The expected record throngs pose daunting challenges to police. The U.S. Park Police, for example, typically check the bags of the half-million or so people at the annual Fourth of July celebration on the Mall. But with potentially 2 million people wrapped in bulky coats and blankets pouring onto the Mall for Obama's swearing-in, stretching to the Lincoln Memorial, police decided that it would take too long to funnel them through checkpoints.

more...

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/03/AR2009010301992.html?hpid=topnews

[jwirr]

1. The stimulus plan for hiring more policemen has already begun.

[babylonsister]

2. Ha! I guess you could look at it that way. nt

[rasputin1952]

3. The only thing I'd worry about is a Wingnut or two...

The Radical RW has decided that Obama is the antichrist...odd how they didn't figure that out about bush, the man who tried to single-handled ly destroy virtually everything this nation stands for.

I for one, will be watching intently and proudly at the events of those days, it is as if a curtain were being drawn back, and the light of day is shining through...:D

[babylonsister]

4. I share your enthusiasm, rasputin1952. I can't wait! This endless

period between the election and inauguration has got to go. So much damage has been done in that interim. We need some light!