(Washington, DC) – The United States Secret Service, under the leadership of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and in cooperation with its local, state and federal security and public safety partners, has developed an overall security plan for the 55th Presidential Inauguration. Inaugural activities will take place beginning on Tuesday, January 18 through Friday, January 21, 2005, with the swearing-in ceremony scheduled for noon on Thursday, January 20.
DHS has designated the Inaugural as a National Special Security Event (NSSE). When an event is designated an NSSE, the U.S. Secret Service assumes its role as the lead federal agency for the design and implementation of the operational security plan. The Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), the U.S. Capitol Police and the U.S. Park Police as well as a number of other federal and local agencies will play an active role in securing this event and resources will be deployed to maintain the level of security needed for the designated events.
Planning and implementation of the overall security plan remain on schedule and all public safety services provided to area residents will continue to operate at normal levels and staffing.
“The security plans for the Inauguration have been developed through the collective efforts of our federal, state, and local partner agencies,” said U.S. Secret Service Director W. Ralph Basham. “Our goal is not only to ensure security of each event site, but to create a safe and secure environment for all participants, visitors and area residents.”
The following security measures will be in place for the 55th Presidential Inauguration:
• Road Closures and Metro: Maps detailing specific road closures are attached. All vehicular road closures will be instituted by the Metropolitan Police Department. Inquiries pertaining to road closures should be directed to MPD Office of Public Information at: (202) 727-4383 and details also will be available online at mpdc.dc.gov and at www.secretservice.gov.
Select Metro stations will be affected for a limited time on the day of the Inauguration but will not prevent access to Inaugural events. Inquires regarding
Metro should be directed to WMATA at (202) 637-7000
• Security Screenings: All attendees are subject to a thorough security screening before entering any of the Inaugural event sites. Please allow for additional time
for this security screening.
• Prohibited Items: As a security precaution, the following items will be prohibited from all Inaugural event sites and locations: firearms, ammunition,
explosives, weapons of any kind, aerosols, supports for signs and placards, packages, coolers, thermal or glass containers, backpacks, bags exceeding size
restrictions (8”x6”x4”), laser pointers, animals other than helper/guide dogs, structures, bicycles and any other items determined to be a potential safety hazard.
With respect to signs and placards, items should be made of cardboard, poster board or cloth and have dimensions no greater than three (3) feet in width, 20 feet
in length and one-quarter (1/4) inch in thickness.
• Security Screening Entry Points: The following 12 public entry points will open at 9:00AM on January 20, 2005.
Parade Entry Points:
− 14th St., NW, North of E St.
− 13th St., NW, North of E St.
− E St., NW East of 13th St.
− 12th St., NW, South of E St.
− 12th St., NW, North of Constitution Avenue
− 7th St., NW, South of D St.
− 7th St., NW, North of Constitution Avenue
− Constitution Avenue NW East of 7th St.
− 3rd St., NW, South of C St.
− 2nd St., NW, North of Constitution Avenue
National Mall Viewing Area Entry Points:
− 7th St., NW, South of Constitution Avenue
− 7th St., SW, North of Independence Avenue
NOTE: The entry points for the National Mall Viewing Area do not provide direct access to the parade route. There are additional screening entry points for the U.S. Capitol and the White House viewing areas.
Individuals attending the Inaugural parade may enter at any of the designated entry points on the north or south side of Pennsylvania Avenue and, after passing through security, will be able to cross the avenue at designated points.
• Air Security: A combined air security plan will be implemented to provide airspace security for the Washington metropolitan area. Enhanced airspace restrictions on general aviation have been released and can be accessed online at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) web page: www.faa.gov. Further inquiries should be directed to: (202) 493-4528.
• Water Security: There will be an enhanced security presence on the waterways around Washington, DC. Inquires should be directed to the Metropolitan Police Department, Harbor Patrol at (202) 727-4582 or the U.S. Coast Guard at (410) 576-2561.