The Washington Post
The throng of visitors to the Mall today will be protected by a tighter and more coordinated security operation, even though the threat level is lower than it has been, authorities said yesterday.
Anyone making the trek, though, should prepare for sun, heat, crowds and, because of the continuing rain, a soggy ground.
Security points with metal detectors, 19 instead of last year’s 24, will once again be the only gateways to the Mall. But, Teresa C. Chambers, chief of the U.S. Park Police, said in a phone interview, “security has been enhanced . . . with officers from different agencies doing a better job of sharing instantaneous intelligence.”
The Park Police will lead 30 local, state and federal agencies in handling the operation, which will have more than 1,500 officers deployed in the area, Chambers said -- more in civilian clothes than in years past.
Based on current intelligence and assessments of threats, however, the Department of Homeland Security will keep the national threat alert as Code Yellow, said Brian Roehrkasse, department spokesman.
Tom Ridge, the secretary of homeland security, is encouraging law enforcement officials across the country to exercise heightened levels of security for large public gatherings and celebrations associated with the Fourth of July, Roehrkasse said.
Chambers worked with D.C. Police Chief Charles H. Ramsey and Deputy Mayor Margret Nedelkoff Kellems to map a strategy for that kind of vigilance. “For us, this year’s celebration is not a return to normalcy -- not at all,” Chambers said. “We can never really be back to normal, and I don’t think people expect that out of us. Our operation this year may look the same, but it isn’t.”
Compared with last year, when visitors had to pass through three or more security checkpoints between the Capitol and the Lincoln Memorial, getting around the Mall should be easier this year, said Sgt. Scott Fear of the Park Police, because people will be able to freely roam the area, within which several streets will be closed, after passing through an initial checkpoint.
Those passing through that area, even those going only to the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, should be prepared for checks of bags and coolers. Fear said that some checkpoints -- particularly those on Constitution Avenue -- will be busier than others. Alcohol, firearms and fireworks are prohibited.
Surveillance cameras, from the Park Police and the D.C. police department, will again help officers monitor any suspicious or unusual activities
The fireworks celebration, on the grounds of the Washington Monument, will begin about 9:10 p.m. Metro officials say trains will begin running at 7 a.m. today and continue until 3 a.m. Like last year, because of security reasons, trains won’t stop at the Smithsonian Station.
The forecast is for sunshine after some morning clouds and a high of about 90, said Neal DiPasquale, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service.
But that might not prevent soggy footing. “Frankly, I don’t know what’s underneath the grass of the Mall, but I suspect it’s going to be wet,” said Mark Miller, a horticulturalist for the American Horticultural Society. If what’s underneath the grass is heavy clay, the water will sit there for a long time, Miller said, but if it’s well-drained sandy soil, then the grass should be dry. He advised bringing something to sit on.
The Mall attracts tens of thousands on Independence Day, and law enforcement and events organizers expect no difference this year. The Fourth of July parade will start about 11:45 a.m. at Seventh and Constitution avenues NW and feature more than 60 groups, including bands and military units, and floats.