The nation’s capital will soon host two significant events that draw large crowds: next week’s state funeral for former President Jimmy Carter, followed by Donald Trump’s second inauguration.
After 15 people were killed and dozens injured in New Orleans on New Year's Day and a second suspected terror attack in Las Vegas, extra precautions are going into place in D.C.
Some security measures are visible, while others are not.
At 7th and F Streets NW outside Capital One Arena Wednesday night, vehicle barriers blocked access to F Street.
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The area was busy with people attending the Washington Wizards game. Normally, the street is closed to vehicle traffic by the presence of one or more police cruisers.
There was also a heavier-than-usual presence of Metro Transit Police officers around the Gallery Place-Chinatown Metro station adjacent to the arena. The agency posted on social media that it heightened security across the transit system.
Metropolitan Police Department Chief Pamela Smith spoke with reporters at a 5K race event earlier in the day.
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“Any time there is an incident such as what happened in New Orleans, we always heighten our security, and here in the District, we will continue to do the same today and throughout the rest of the week,” she said.
Smith said D.C. is preparing for large crowds for the state funeral and inauguration.
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“We’ve been preparing for large crowds. That's what we specialize here in in the District of Columbia,” she said. “The Metropolitan Police Department will continue to work very closely with our local and state partners to see if there are any critical threats to the District, and if there are, we will posture ourselves accordingly.”
People’s eyes sometimes glaze over when they hear, “See something, say something,” but community concern can and has helped prevent attacks both in the U.S. and overseas.
