The Secret Service has released its security plans for the presidential inauguration and will impact the waterways around D.C.:
57th Presidential Inaugural
The United States Secret Service in cooperation with its local, state and federal security, public safety and military partners, has developed an overall security plan for the 57th Presidential Inaugural. Inaugural activities will take place beginning on Sunday, January 20 through Monday, January 21, 2013, with the Inaugural ceremonies scheduled for Monday, January 21.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has designated the Inaugural as a National Special Security Event (NSSE). When an event is designated an NSSE, the 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 local, state and federal agencies, will play a critical operational role in securing the Inauguration and resources will be deployed to maintain the appropriate level of security.
- Secret Service Announces Security Information for the 2013 Presidential Inaugural (PDF File)
- 2013 Presidential Inaugural Law Enforcement and Public Safety Public Affairs Subcommittee Announces Joint Transportation Plan (PDF File)
- View a map of Vehicle Restrictions (PDF File)
- View a map of Pedestrian Walking Routes (PDF File)
The following security measures will be in place for the 57th Presidential Inaugural:
- Downtown Area Road Closures: Vehicle restricted zones will be in effect beginning at 7 a.m. on Sunday, January 20, through 7 a.m. on Tuesday, January 22. Restrictions will be implemented on a rolling schedule, beginning at Pennsylvania Avenue NW from 2nd Street NW to 15th Street NW. All closures will be in place by the morning of Monday, January 21. All vehicular road closures in Washington, D.C., will be instituted by MPD. Inquiries pertaining to road closures should be directed to the MPD Office of Public Information at (202) 727-4383. Details will also be available online at www.inauguration.dc.gov and atwww.secretservice.gov.
- Security Screenings: All attendees, including general public and ticketed guests, are subject to a thorough security screening before entering the Inaugural parade route, the White House reviewing stand and the Inaugural balls. Please allow for additional time for this security screening, as it is expected that lines may be long.
- Prohibited Items: As a security precaution, the following items will be prohibited from the Inaugural parade route, the White House reviewing stand and the Inaugural balls:
- Aerosols
- Ammunition
- Animals other than helper/guide dogs
- Backpacks
- Bags and signs exceeding size restrictions (8"x6"x4")
- Bicycles
- Balloons
- Coolers
- Explosives
- Firearms
- Glass or thermal containers
- Laser pointers
- Mace / Pepper spray
- Packages
- Structures
- Supports for signs and placards
- Weapons of any kind
- Any other items determined to be potential safety hazards
Signs and placards must be made only of cardboard, poster board or cloth and have dimensions no greater than three feet in width, 20 feet in length and one-quarter inch in thickness. Surrendered items will not be returned, nor available for pick-up.
The following public entry points will open at 6:30 a.m. on Monday, January 21, 2013, and will remain open until the parade route can no longer accommodate additional people.
- - 2nd Street NW and C Street NW
- - John Marshall Park at C Street NW
- - Indiana Avenue NW between 6th St NW and 7th St NW
- - 7th Street NW and D Street NW
- - 10th Street NW and E Street NW
- - 12th Street NW and E Street NW
- - E Street NW just east of 13th Street NW
- - 13th Street NW and E Street NW
- - 14th Street NW and E Street NW
- - 12th Street NW and Constitution Avenue NW
- - 10th Street NW and Constitution Avenue NW
- - 7th Street NW and Constitution Avenue NW
- - Constitution Avenue between 6th Street NW and 7th Street NW
All parade route security screening entry points will be able to accommodate persons with disabilities. There are additional screening entry points for the ticketed seating at the U.S. Capitol and the White House viewing areas. Details for the swearing-in at the Capitol are available at www.inaugural.senate.gov.
· Prohibited Items at the U.S. Capitol: The following items will be prohibited from the ticketed viewing areas at the U.S. Capitol grounds:
- Aerosol sprays
- Air horns
- Alcoholic beverages
- Animals (other than service animals)
- Backpacks
- Coolers
- Duffel bags
- Explosives of any kind (including fireworks)
- Firearms and ammunition (either real or simulated)
- Glass containers
- Knives, blades, or sharp objects (of any length)
- Large bags
- Laser pointers
- Mace and/or pepper spray
- Packages
- Pocket or hand tools, such as “Leatherman” tools
- Portable chairs (other than those for disabled persons)
- Posters
- Signs
- Sticks or poles
- Strollers
- Suitcases
- Thermoses
- Umbrellas
- Other items that may pose a threat to the security of the event as determined by and at the discretion of the security screener
· Cold Weather Preparedness: The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reminds attendees to plan ahead to prevent cold-weather related health problems. Infants and the elderly are particularly at risk, but anyone can be affected. Attendees of all ages will likely need hats, water-resistant coats, scarves or knit masks to cover the face and mouth, and gloves or mittens. Mittens are warmer than gloves. Wool, silk or polypropylene inner layers of clothing will hold in more body heat than cotton. Perspiration can increase heat loss, and wet clothing can chill the body rapidly. To prevent cold-related health problems, dress in layers of loose-fitting clothes, including extra socks, which can be removed as they become damp. For more information on cold weather and avoiding hypothermia and frostbite, visithttp://emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/winter/.
· 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 web page:www.faa.gov. Pilot inquiries should be directed to 866-598-9522.
· Water Security: There will be an enhanced security presence on the waterways around Washington, D.C. Inquires should be directed to the U.S. Coast Guard via marine band radio VHF channel 16 or the Metropolitan Police Department Harbor Patrol at 202-727-4582.
Additional Information
Additional information for charter operators, as well as residents of the District, Virginia and Maryland, is available online through the following websites:
- DDOT
- Maryland Department of Transportation
- National Capital Region Updates
- Virginia State Police
- Washington Area Metropolitan Transit Authority
In addition, Inaugural information is available on the following sites to help those planning to attend the inaugural events:
- Presidential Inaugural Committee
- Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies
- D.C. Presidential Inaugural Committee
Information will be available prior to and during Inauguration day on social media sites such as Twitter. To see Inauguration related material, please use #inaug2013. Some of the Twitter sites being used to communicate information from the Inaugural public safety and security partners include:
- District Department of Transportation - @ddotdc
- Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies - @jccic2013
- Joint Task Force-National Capital Region - @JTFNCR
- National Terrorism Advisory System - @NTASAlerts
- Office of the D.C. Mayor - @MayorVinceGray
- Secret Service - @SecretService
- U.S. Department of Homeland Security - @DHSgov
- WMATA - @metroinaug
Emergency alerts and public notifications regarding the Inauguration will be available via text messaging. To receive these messages, text the word "INAUGURATION" to 888777. Text messaging fees may apply according to your cellular plan.
Photo Credit: Washington Post/Getty Images