NORTON GETS INAUGURAL SECURITY BRIEFING--URGES BUSINESSES TO STAY OPEN - January 7, 2005

Washington, DC—Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today received a detailed briefing on security arrangements for the upcoming presidential inauguration activities from Secret Service officials. On the basis of the briefing, Norton urged downtown businesses, restaurants, tourist attractions and amusements to remain open to accommodate residents and the thousands of visitors who won’t have tickets to inaugural events but will want to have something to do after the parade. “We certainly want the thousands of visitors who have come for the parade to stay and patronize our tourist and entertainment sites, along with residents and people who work here.”

She said that all restrictions are to vehicular traffic only, much as occurred during the Reagan funeral. Norton said, as with most big events, Metro is the way to travel. People should operate as they did during the Reagan funeral and take Metro. There are partial restrictions on a few Metro station sites that Norton is still discussing with the Secret Service. She was particularly concerned about a proposed closing of parts of downtown near the Ellipse at 9 AM on the day before the inauguration, January 19^th. After discussions with the Secret Service she learned today that this area instead will be closed to traffic at 3:45 PM , 15 minutes before the start-up time for the opening ceremony at 4 PM on January 19th.

Norton, a member of the Homeland Security Committee, told authorities that securing the President and the public at the first post 9-11 inauguration is, of course, paramount. However, she raised specific concerns about the effect on residents and visitors and asked for a detailed briefing.

Few residents live in secured areas, but the Congresswoman received assurances about resident access, even in cars, to these areas. These will be checkpoint areas, and drivers will have to produce an ID with an address in the area or an employee or business ID. There will be pedestrian screening only for those entering the parade area like the screening that has been used at events such as the Memorial and Labor Day concerts that many are accustomed to.

She pressed for a parade rehearsal to take place on Sunday, January 16, and not on Monday, averting the need to shut off much of downtown and Capitol Hill, and agreement has been reached.

Employees in certain areas must present government-issued identification cards and hotel guests will be required to show their room keys. Norton urges that towing be avoided, especially cars with residential parking permits on the window, and does not expect towing of resident cars but urges that even these cars not be on the streets because they may have to be moved to accommodate trucks carrying heavy barriers.

Norton stressed to security officials that early public notification of residents and businesses is extremely important so that all can understand why inconveniences are necessary. She is asking federal security officials to “meet the press” to give as much information directly to the public as early as possible. She said that she was pleased that authorities already have been going door to door, making personal contact and sending notices of restrictions to apartment and other building owners, and urged property owners to share the information with their tenants immediately.

Congresswoman Norton said that the real bonus this year is the Washington Convention Center , where most of the inaugural balls on the evening of the 20^th will be held, eliminating inconvenience resulting from security measures for the balls that occurred throughout the city in the past.