Local
Inauguration planners remain perplexed by event’s logistics
By: Leah Fabel
Examiner Staff Writer
December 19, 2008
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| While record-breaking crowds are expected for President-elect Barack Obama’s inauguration, top planners are still working out the details. More than 5,000 port-a-potties are expected to meet the crowd’s needs, according to Emmett Beliveau, executive director of Obama’s Inaugural committee. In addition, about 4,000 National Guardsmen are expected to be on hand to control the crowd. (AP file) |
“We’re still working on that” seemed to be the phrase of the day on Thursday at the first joint meeting of hundreds of inaugural organizers, from Metropolitan Police Department officials to military honchos to the chairman of President-elect Barack Obama’s inaugural committee.
The group gathered at Northeast’s D.C. Armory where a 40-foot by 40-foot map of the National Mall and surrounding streets was laid out on the floor, marked with the 16-block parade route along Pennsylvania Avenue.
Not labeled were the “hundreds of speakers,” “more than 5,000 port-a-potties,” and the possibility of at least 10 “video trucks and walls” similar to those used at NASCAR events, said Emmett Beliveau, executive director of Obama’s committee.
Beyond that, few specifics were revealed.
There will be about 15,000 parade participants and 240 horses, but just how they’ll make their way to the city on what are expected to be hopelessly tangled roadways and overcrowded Metro cars remains to be seen.
“There is discussion of certain bridges being controlled in terms of the access, but that plan is still in development,” said Army Maj. Gen. Richard Rowe Jr., chairman of the Armed Forces Inaugural Committee.
“I’m not going to say it’s not a difficulty,” Rowe said. “This is operational art.”
As for a crowd-size estimate, media reports are determining some security details.
Speculations of as many as 4 million people led Maj. Gen. Errol Schwartz, commanding general of D.C.’s National Guard, to plan about 4,000 National Guardsmen, he said. That’s about double the numbers used in past inaugurations.
“I’m still waiting to get the official number from Homeland Security,” Schwartz said.
Acting Assistant Chief of the U.S. Park Police Sal Lauro said that about 1,000 police and 1,300 National Guardsmen are expected along the Mall and parade route on Jan. 20. But unlike the city’s Fourth of July celebrations, there are no plans as yet for security screening in the non-ticketed area.
Lauro said he found out “as early as this morning” about some pre-inauguration events, like the Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebrations at the Lincoln Memorial on Jan. 19.
“We haven’t finalized those plans yet,” Lauro said.
