WASHINGTON, Jan. 18 (UPI) -- Capitol Hill Police are preparing to position over 1,600 officers for President Bush's second term swearing in ceremony.
The largest Capitol Police force ever deployed for a presidential inauguration, they will be part of the more than 6,000 federal, state and local officers expected to be on hand for Thursday's inauguration ceremony and parade.
The event has been designated a National Special Security Event by the Department of Homeland Security and therefore subject to unprecedented security measures coordinated by the Secret Service.
Federal and District of Columbia security officials are planning on closing down an estimated 100 blocks of downtown Washington, D.C., starting Wednesday evening through Thursday night.
The move has raised the ire of some locals with House Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton, the District's lone representative in Congress, calling the decision, "a little over the top" Tuesday.
