Law enforcement authorities are bracing for security measures that could top past inaugurations as Baltimore residents anxiously await a visit from President-elect Barack Obama this weekend.
Obama is expected to make his appearance Saturday at a yet-to-be determined location before an estimated crowd of 150,000.
While authorities are remaining mum about specific security plans, the U.S. Secret Service is heading up the operation with Baltimore police making up the majority of the force downtown, said Baltimore police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi, who couldn’t confirm the number of officers assigned to the event.
“We’re all taking direction from the Secret Service at the top of the pyramid,” said Guglielmi.
“We’re not expecting riots or anything. This is a monumental occasion for the country and, if anything, we’re going to have some very happy people in Baltimore.”
After Obama leaves Baltimore for Washington, several of Maryland’s county police departments will contribute officers to help patrol the Jan. 20 inauguration ceremony and parade stretching from the National Mall to the Lincoln Memorial.
With 2 million people expected to arrive for Obama’s swearing in, the Secret Service and U.S. Park Police are organizing thorough screenings at entry points to the parade and relying on the regional, collaborative security force to monitor any incidents.
Baltimore County police have agreed to send 55 officers trained in crowd control, and Howard County police will lend 40 officers to assist Park Police, but those officers haven’t been given specific assignments yet, said Howard police spokeswoman Sherry Llewellyn.
Anne Arundel police also will provide support, but police spokesman Sgt. John Gilmer declined to elaborate.
Maryland Transportation Authority police said they’re bolstering patrols along the Interstate 95 corridor to prepare for thousands of commuters between Baltimore and the capital.
To ensure safe travel on MARC trains, the MDTA police’s K-9 units will assist Maryland Transit Administration police on the Penn and Camden lines.
The Baltimore Metro system will run Saturday, MTA officials said.
