WASHINGTON, D.C. – Officials estimate about a quarter of a million people are expected to make their way to our nation’s capital to watch the presidential inauguration. Law enforcement officials rolled out their security plans for the big event.
“Our message today is very direct: we are prepared,” said Pamela A. Smith, D.C. Metro Police Chief.
Security will be tight for President- Elect Donald Trump’s inauguration.
“We expect much larger crowds,” said US Capitol Police Chief J. Thomas Manger. “There are going to be nearly a quarter million ticketed guests attending the inauguration.”
About 25-thousand law enforcement and military personnel will be here to ensure safety. There will be temporary flight restrictions around D.C. and the Coast Guard will have some maritime restrictions. Officials said there will be several road closures throughout the district and encourage people to use public transit to get around.
“The Secret Service will bring in agents and other specialists across the country to provide a full slate of visible and invisible security measures,” said Matt McCool, US Secret Service Special Agent in charge of the Washington Field Office. “All attendees will undergo screenings. Checkpoints will be set up for members of the public interested in attending the inauguration.”
Fencing went up around the Capitol building ahead of the January 6 election certification and ahead of former President Jimmy Carter Lying in State. It will stay up for the inauguration ceremony. Officials said about 30 miles of anti-scale fencing will be up as part of the security measures.
Officials are also bracing for protests.
“Please know that MPD will ensure your right to peacefully protest and assemble, however I want to reiterate as I always have that violence, destruction and unlawful behavior will not be tolerated,” said Chief Smith.
“The biggest threat I think for all of us remains the lone actor,” said Chief Manger. “Just in the past week when President Carter was Lying in State, two lone actors showed up at the Capitol. One tried to bring in knives and a machete, another one was trying to, I believe, disrupt the proceedings, was trying to set their car on fire in the Peace Circle area. US Capitol Police were able to interdict these folks before they had a chance to do any harm.”
If you are visiting DC for the inauguration, officials are encouraging people to also do their part if they see something, to say something. You can visit this link for information on traffic advisories, road closures, check points and more.
