Thursday, December 4, 2008

Air Patrols, Cameras to Watch Record Inaugural Crowd

Law enforcement officials bracing for the largest crowds in inaugural history are preparing far-reaching security. There will be thousands of video cameras, sharpshooters, and air patrols on hand to safeguard President-elect Barack Obama's swearing-in. I, too, think this will be the largest crowd ever especially since it is a historic event as well. The first African American to be President is something this generation has lived to experience and view from our homes on television.

If you are attending the ceremony and parade on January 20, you can expect to be searched by machines, security personnel or both. Precautions will range from the routine meters used at airports to countersnipers trained to hit a target the size of a teacup saucer from 1,000 yards. Now that is skill. One thing about it, there is a bit of a hometeam advantage for the Secret Service and law enforcement agencies. All of the Secret Service's law enforcement partners are in D.C. and they have worked together on similar events, one of which most recently was the G-20 summit on Nov. 14-15.

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