Politics & Government

Dozens of Northern Virginia Police Officers to Aid With Inauguration Security

Arlington police will monitor Metro stations, movement from Pentagon to Washington.

With hundreds of thousands of people flooding Washington for the 2013 Presidential Inauguration on Jan. 21, law enforcement agencies from Northern Virginia are chipping in to help with security in the nation's capital.

Gwendolyn Crump, spokeswoman for the Metropolitan Police Department, said her agency is working collaboratively with others to make sure the event will be safe and secure for those who travel to Washington to witness the events. Crump would not say how much the security effort for the inauguration would cost.

“Our goal is to develop and implement, with the numerous participating agencies, a seamless security plan that will create a safe and secure environment for our protectees, other dignitaries, event participants and the general public,” Crump said.

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Officers from Fairfax County, the city of Falls Church and Alexandria police departments will all be sending officers to assist with the inauguration crowds in some capacity. About 120 officers from Fairfax County police will be heading across the river for the inauguration, said agency spokeswoman Lucy Caldwell. A contingent from Alexandria, made up of 21 police officers and 18 sheriff's deputies, also will be helping out with security.

Dustin Sternbeck, a spokesman for the Arlington County Police Department, said his agency isn't sending any officers into Washington, but will have up to 60 officers monitoring Metro stations in the county. Arlington's tactical team will monitor movement of assets from the Pentagon to Washington, he said.

Find out what's happening in Arlingtonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The U.S. Secret Service is responsible for developing the security plans for the inauguration. A combined air and water security plan will be implemented around the inauguration parade route and viewing areas. Enhanced airspace restrictions on general aviation have been released and can be accessed online at the Federal Aviation Administration webpage at www.faa.gov.

[Click here for our 2013 Presidential Inauguration guide.]

Most inaugural events start Sunday and continue through late in the day Monday, Jan. 21. While attendees can watch the festivities from the National Mall, the Secret Service said only attendees with a ticket issued by the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies could watch from the U.S. Capitol.

For security purposes, everyone attending festivities, with or without tickets, will have to go thorough a security screening before entering the inaugural parade route, the White House reviewing stand and the inaugural balls, according to a statement from the Secret Service. Officials suggest allowing extra time for this process.

Entry points for the parade route will be open starting at 6:30 a.m. on Jan. 21 and will remain open until there is no more space to fit people safely. Individuals with disabilities will be accommodated. Here is a list of entry points for the parade route:

  • 2nd St. NW and C St. NW
  • John Marshall Park at C St. NW
  • Indiana Ave. NW between 6th St. NW and 7th St. NW
  • 7th St. NW and D St. NW
  • 10th St. NW and E St. NW
  • 12th St. NW and E St. NW
  • 13th St. NW and E St. NW
  • 14th St. NW and E St. NW
  • 12th St. NW and Constitution Ave. NW
  • 10th St. NW and Constitution Ave. NW
  • 7th St. NW and Constitution Ave. NW
  • Constitution Ave. NW between 6th St. NW and 7th St. NW

The Secret Service has said the following items are banned from the inauguration, 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 (see 'Biking to the Inauguration' for more on this)
  • Balloons
  • Coolers
  • Explosives
  • Firearms and weapons of any kind
  • Glass or thermal containers
  • Laser pointers
  • Mace/Pepper spray
  • Packages
  • Structures
  • Supports for signs and placards
  • Any other items determined to be potential safety hazards


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