5,000 POLICE OFFICERS PROTECTED 'TIMBERWOLF'
By Elsa Walsh
Washington Post Staff Writer
Column: THE INAUGURATION
Saturday, January 21, 1989
; Page A16
When an exuberant George Bush got out of his limousine to greet the crowds
lining his parade route yesterday, he was covered by security in Washington at
its peak.
From sewer manholes to rooftops and the skies above, little was left to
chance as the new president moved from one site to another in a protective
beehive made up of a dozen law enforcement agencies and monitored by
sophisticated command centers across the city.
Even the 1,250 scouts taking part in the inaugural festivities underwent
advance Secret Service security clearance, and Mitch Snyder, advocate of the
homeless, was approached by four law enforcement agencies after he was seen
walking near the parade route.
"I thought it was very funny, and then I thought it was very silly, and
then I thought it was very 'Big Brother,' " Snyder said, describing how he was
asked if he planned any activity along the route. "But I understand -- their
job is to make sure that nothing out of the way happens, and if they have any
hint that something is, they have to check it out."
Law enforcement officials reported yesterday afternoon that the tight
security, hammered out over the last several months, paid off, with only a few
minor incidents marring an otherwise flawless day observed by what one police
official described as a "well-mannered" crowd.
Seven early morning bomb threats sent police and trained dogs scurrying
along the parade route, but proved to be hoaxes. As of early last night, only
two adults had been arrested for inaugural-related violations -- one for
crossing a police line and the other for disorderly conduct. Four juveniles
were charged with carrying a prohibited weapon -- a BB gun they were seen
passing among themselves along the parade route. All six suspects were later
released.
A propane gas fire that engulfed a hot dog stand and a T-shirt stand on
15th Street NW shortly before the start of the inaugural parade resulted in no
injuries. And demonstrators, who police had worried might disrupt the
procession down Pennsylvania Avenue, remained on the sidewalks.
Medical personnel who staffed emergency centers around the city and who
brought in 35 ambulances to supplement the city's fleet, said most injuries
appeared to be crowd related. By late afternoon, 15 persons, including four
who suffered heart-related ailments, had been taken by ambulance to city
hospitals.
"People are rushing and not eating -- that's what usually causes the
trouble," said Mary Berkeley, making her sixth appearance as coordinator of
the District's medical coverage for an inauguration.
Security planning for the day, which officially started for Bush with a 9
a.m. service at St. John's Church on Lafayette Square, began last summer.
The Secret Service pulled out previous inauguration plans seven months
ago, and D.C. police sent representatives to the Democratic and Republican
political conventions last July and August to make contacts in both
presidential campaigns.
By the time the Bush motorcade left Blair House yesterday morning, law
enforcement officers had been manning their stations for hours.
Around-the-clock security had been set up at the various sites, including
the swearing-in platform at the Capitol and the reviewing stand in front of
the White House, and officials were in place at the command centers. Twelve
ambulance units were stationed outside the Capitol as part of the emergency
medical network set up along the parade route.
At the D.C. police department's Command Information Center, nearly 40
officials from various police and security agencies were in constant contact
with the more than 5,000 law enforcement officers on the street. Information
about possible problem sites, including expected demonstrations and persons
considered possible threats to "Timberwolf" -- Bush's Secret Service code name
-- was flashed on a large screen in the front of the room.
Outside the command center, thousands of police officers, military
personnel and Secret Service agents lined the parade route, circled the
Capitol and ushered parade participants through metal detectors, in use at an
inauguration for the first time.
The detectors were set up at four entrances to the Capitol area to move
the crowd quickly through the screening process, which included checks of
purses and camera equipment. Few people seemed bothered by the tightened
security.
"I had to take a picture of the ground to show them that my camera worked,"
said Nancy Reisman, adding that the security check gave her "peace of mind."
Dennise Hoffman, wife of a state representative from Horton, Mich., echoed
the sentiments of many when she said, "I'm just pleased that we will be safe
while we're here."
Tight security also was in evidence along the 1.6-mile parade route, with
sharpshooters stationed on rooftops along the way. In the 300 block of
Constitution Avenue NW, where about 100 people demonstrated, nearly 200 law
enforcement officers, standing little more than 10 feet apart, lined both
sides of the street. Most of the demonstrators carried signs supporting
legalized abortion and equal rights for women.
As the Bush motorcade moved down Constitution Avenue, the flanks of
officials, who had been warned to expect spontaneity from the new president,
turned to face the crowd.
"He's walking," a woman with an elevated perch near New Jersey Avenue
shouted, as Bush and his wife Barbara approached. The crowd pushed forward
but the Bushes were back in their stretch limousine by the time they reached
the intersection.
Staff writers Michael Abramowitz, Victoria Churchville, Lynne Duke, Nancy
Lewis and Pierre Thomas contributed to this report.
Articles appear as they were originally printed in The Washington
Post and may not include subsequent corrections.
Return to Search Results