WASHINGTON, Nov. 7 (UPI) -- Security, always a concern in Washington, will be at unprecedented levels for President Bush's second inauguration Jan. 20 -- possibly including 4,000 troops.
Security planning for the event has been under way for months to protect the president, government officials, visiting heads of state, and citizens attending the inaugural events, the Washington Post reported Sunday.
Security measures -- at least the ones being made public -- will include rooftop snipers, better scanning machines, scores of bomb-sniffing dogs and law enforcement officers augmented by about 2,000 out-of-town police officers. Officials said there will be a police officer posted every six to eight feet along the inauguration parade route and a maritime security force led by the Coast Guard will protect the Potomac and Anacostia rivers.
The Post said the Washington area's air defenses have been strengthened and sensors will be deployed across the area to detect biological, chemical or radioactive material.
"Everything has changed since 9/11, so there is a different context in which this inauguration is being planned," said Terrance Gainer, chief of the U.S. Capitol Police.
The new security steps will be in addition to measures that have been employed during recent inaugurations, including inspecting miles of underground transportation and sewer tunnels, welding shut manhole covers, closing streets and surveying more than 450 buildings from which at least a partial view of the parade route is possible, the newspaper said.
The Secret Service is the lead agency for the event - which will be the first inauguration since Sept. 11, 2001.
