By Derrill Holly, The Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) -- More police and security guards were visible Monday on, above and below ground, as the capital responded to the threat of an attack on the nation’s financial sectors.
“Everybody that you see will not be in uniform. We will have plainclothes people that are out paying attention to what’s going on out there on the streets,” said Chief Charles H. Ramsey of the District of Columbia Metropolitan Police Department.
The threats prompting the elevated Code Orange warning level have not mentioned a specific timeframe, but Ramsey said his officers were prepared to maintain an added presence at least through the Nov. 2 general election. He warned it might be necessary to continue the Code Orange response through January’s presidential inaugural events or beyond.
“We’re worried about safety and security, not expense,” said Ramsey. He also vowed to keep neighborhoods protected as well, particularly since he declared a crime emergency just last month.
Although Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge publicly announced the elevation of the terror alert level Sunday, Ramsey said his department was informed of the decision several hours earlier.
While the facilities of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund were the only institutions in D.C. specifically named in the threat, security is also being bolstered at several other financial institutions.
“We do have a lot of targets of opportunity, and when you harden one you can create opportunities in others,” said Ramsey. He added that security officials at the Federal Reserve, the U.S. Treasury and the U.S. Mint were keeping in close contact with local police.
Tactical weapons officers armed with automatic rifles were seen at several downtown Metro stations. Teams of officers dispatched to the stations moved beyond train platforms to check utility cabinets and storage rooms on Monday.
“We’re looking for anything that looks suspicious,” said Lieut. Mark Olson, commander of the Metro Transit Police Department’s special response team. Olson said dozens of officers were assigned to security sweep teams throughout the Metrorail system.
Several departments, including the MPD and the U.S. Capitol Police, canceled days off and extended shifts to increase the number of officers available.
On streets near the World Bank and the White House, manned police cruisers with flashing lights were ready to assist officers stopping trucks to check cargo and question drivers.
James Wolfensohn, the president of the World Bank, told his staff that security in and around the institution’s offices has been enhanced. Unarmed security guards in blazers were replaced with armed contract guards early Monday.