Washington ready for inauguration: Strong Security Measures

Although this 0.6 square mile [0.6 sq km] area is often the most attractive for tourists visiting the capital, this time it is no longer at the expense of the attention of security forces during the time the elected president will take the oath for the second time.

Monday's very low temperatures prompted the president-elect to make a decision to hold ceremonies in domestic environments. The inauguration will take place within the Capitol building and the traditional parade will be held at the sports and concerts palace “Capital One Arena”, located nearby.

The change was announced Friday and forced security officials to change plans at the last minute. There are numerous challenges for about 25 thousand law enforcement officers and the army that have been deployed to the capital.

We're moving units “, U.S. Secret Service Information hearing said on Sunday.

We have not cut anything from the original” plan, he said. I have a lot of faith, with our partners here, that we're going to be about”.

The number of visitors to Washington can make the situation especially challenging.

Organisers expected to arrive at the Capitol to attend the inauguration of some 250 thousand guests who bought tickets.

Only a select group will now be allowed at the ceremony in the Capitol Hall, where only about 600 people can attend. And the <x0... Capitol One Arena” stadium has only about 20,000 seats.

Even some 250 thousand people who were planning to follow the inauguration might be trying to get to “Capital One Arena”.

Washington Metropolitan Police Director Pamela Smith said on Sunday that rule forces have reinforced with about 4 thousand officers coming from around the country.

Mrs. Smith told reporters something really didn't change something”. “It will adapt the movements of officers engaged... So again we're going to have police officers at the location of the entire city, as planned at”.

Some of the officers, said Mrs. Smith, would be located along the trajectory that was originally designated for the parade, as people might try to be present to see the presidential convoy when it passes.

Capitol police are also planning to have officers stationed in the suburbs of the complex, although the ceremony has already shifted to the interior environment.

The entire security force contingent for the inauguration, made up of Secret Service officers, the FBI, the Capitol Police and the Washington Metropolitan Police, will be headed by a command centre with which a wide network of cameras will be connected throughout the capital.

Although a portion of the security measures that were initially imposed have already been eased in some areas, officials said they would continue warnings to visitors that this would not be a common situation in Washington.

“They will see tactical units”, Mr. McCol said during a briefing for journalists. “will see officers and agents on rooftops, see checkpoints. They will see road closures and concrete barriers”.

Even before the inauguration moved to internal environments, officials were prepared for what they describe as a “high risk environment”, warning that security plans for this inauguration are stronger than in the past.

Capital Police Chief Tom Mager said the greatest danger for all remains the possibility of an attack by one person. This risk... continues to be the greatest reason why we are in an increased state of alert”.

These concerns increased after the terrorist attack on New Year's Day, using a car to hit people in New Orleans and the explosion in Las Vegas of another car, in front of the International Trump Hotel.

Earlier this month, the Capitol police arrested two people allegedly trying to stop the ceremony for former President Jimmy Carter. One of them tried to get a knife into the Capitol and a chopper, while the other set the car on fire.

Concerns were confirmed by a recent study of the Chicago University Security and Threat Project.

“Mbi 5% of Americans support the use of force to prevent Donald Trump's presidentship”, project leader Robert Pape told Voice of America.

“is thus about 14 million Americans”, he said. This is unfortunately a disturbing figure”.

The President-elect Trump has already had two assassinations.

The danger of Iran also continues. Although repeated denials by Iranian officials, American security officials have accused Tehran of trying to kill President-elect Trump. Such a plan became known that it would have come to life on days after the American elections.

At the moment, however, American officials see no signs of expected problems.

“The FBI is not currently tracing any reliable or specific threats to the inaugural ceremony or Capitol complex”, the FBI branch in Washington told Voice of America. “

Another source of concern is tens of thousands of potential protesters, though there have been no major incidents so far.

Saturday's <x0... People's Marriage”, which was allowed to have up to 50,000 protesters, caused only brief tensions with elected President Trump's supporters.

Another group called “We Fight Back”), has received permission for protests Monday involving about 10,000 people in some countries.

Please note that we will ensure your right to protest and gather peacefully”, said Mrs. Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department.

“Anyway, I want to replay, as I have always done, that violence, destruction and illegal behaviour will not be tolerated”, she said. “The violators will face swift and decisive consequences... we will be prepared to face anyone who thinks he can enter this city to destroy the” property. /voa