Unprecedented Security Planned for Inauguration

ByABC News via logo
January 15, 2005, 7:42 AM

WASHINGTON, Jan. 15, 2005 — -- When President Bush stands on the west front of the Capitol, raises his right hand and takes the oath of office to begin his second term, it will be the 55th time a president has been sworn in. But the security arrangements for this inaugural are unlike any other.

"The levels of security for this inauguration have been enhanced," said U.S. Secret Service Special Agent Tom Mazur. "Some will be noticed and others will not be noticed."

About 50 federal, state and local agencies and the Pentagon are banding together to protect the first post-9/11 inaugural. There will be 6,000 police officers from across the country and 7,000 military troops, including a Marine unit primed to deal with biological and chemical threats and soldiers trained in pulling people out of bombed buildings.

There'll be snipers on rooftops, police patrolling on bicycle and horseback. On the water, the Coast Guard will patrol the Potomac River. In the air, there'll be combat air patrols and even anti-aircraft missiles placed around the city. Underground is covered, too -- manhole covers will be welded shut and subway tunnels secured.

"You'll see explosive-detection canines ... and a large number of law enforcement officers," says Metro Transit Police Chief Polly Hanson.

Hanson's force will be augmented with officers from Atlanta's mass transit system and airport security screeners from Boston, Dallas and St. Louis trained to spot explosives.

The precautions being taken are unprecedented. In hopes of avoiding a food-borne attack, caterers for inaugural events are being told to report to work at 7 p.m. Wednesday -- 17 hours before the swearing in.

About 100 square blocks of downtown Washington between the Capitol and the White House will be closed to traffic, and vehicles will be restricted in another 100 square blocks surrounding it. Everyone going to the ceremony or the parade will pass through metal detectors manned by airport security screeners.