Security to be Intense for July 4

July 3, 2002
By Rochelle Sharpe and Kevin Johnson, USA TODAY

Unprecedented security will be on display this Fourth of July amid fears of terrorism. People will be screened and searched if they want to see fireworks at the National Mall in Washington, the Gateway Arch in St. Louis or at other public parks. For the first Independence Day since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, many cities are taking extra precautions, such as monitoring for low-level radiation and setting up security checkpoints to examine coolers, backpacks and purses. The measures come amid FBI warnings to police that the national holiday may be a target for a terrorist attack, although there were no credible threats against specific cities. The White House said the nation remains on "yellow" alert status, the middle of five levels.

Perhaps not since the millennial celebrations at the end of 1999 has there been so much concern for security on a national holiday. White House spokesman Ari Fleischer said this week that similar precautions were seen at the Super Bowl and Olympics.

President Bush, speaking in Milwaukee on Tuesday, urged Americans to celebrate the country's freedom: "I want to assure you that we're doing everything we can to protect the homeland of America. We've got a lot of dedicated folks who work overtime all the time to run down any lead, any hint, any idea of anybody trying to do something to America. We'll react to it."

Last month, detainees at the U.S. naval base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, made references to July Fourth. In response, the FBI asked its 56 field offices to monitor holiday activities for potential terrorism.
* In the nation's capital, security will be far more intense than at any other celebration in the city's history, authorities said. For the first time, two rows of snow fencing were set up around the National Mall. Police with handheld metal detectors will be stationed at two dozen checkpoints for the 500,000 people expected on the grounds. Thousands of area police will be on duty. In past years, about 250 officers would monitor July 4 activities.

OVERSEAS ALERT
Overseas alert
Americans preparing to celebrate the holiday overseas have to balance fun with safety. A State Department warning says they should avoid clubs, restaurants, schools or outdoor events where Americans gather because they could become targets for terrorists.

"We are going to celebrate our Independence Day come hell or high water, but we will be on high alert," said Sheila Hoban, U.S. Embassy spokeswoman in Katmandu, Nepal.

The State Department bulletin said the government has credible evidence that terrorist violence is imminent. It said no specific target, timing or method is known.

Despite the bulletin, crowds of Americans living in Asia, Europe and the Mideast planned to gather for fireworks and barbecues. "Every time Americans come together nowadays, people feel patriotic," said Joanne Blakemore, president of the American Association in Singapore. "Maybe that's one of the good things that came out of Sept. 11."

U.S. facilities overseas have been on constant alert since Sept. 11.


For added security, transit officials will close the Smithsonian subway stop, one of the largest access points to the area. And the U.S. Park Service said the fireworks themselves will be inspected and guarded by agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms to ensure against a bomb.
* Boston and New York will monitor for low-level radiation. New York has counterterrorism teams with heavy weapons patrolling the city. Helicopters will monitor the skies.


Boston will videotape concertgoers and make the 10,000 people nearest the Hatch Shell stage pass through screening checkpoints. Those spectators also will be given a wristband to display in case they leave and want to re-enter the area.
* Dallas will have a single entry checkpoint to the downtown site of its fireworks celebration. About 150,000 people will be scanned with metal-detection wands and subjected to random bag checks.
* Pennsylvania plans random checks for dangerous cargo as part of its largest-ever truck-inspection program.
* The U.S. Coast Guard asks recreational boaters to watch for suspicious divers near bridges.
* The Great Lakes Naval Station in North Chicago canceled its two-day holiday celebration because security checkpoints would create delays as long as five hours for 40,000 visitors.
* The Federal Aviation Administration banned flights over three landmarks: the Statue of Liberty, Mount Rushmore and the Gateway Arch in St. Louis. Pictures and drawings of the arch and the Statue of Liberty were found among Taliban belongings in Afghanistan.


The military is resuming random air patrols over New York City, Washington and 10 other major U.S. cities.

Though the fear of terrorists might keep some people away from public fireworks displays, others are determined to celebrate America's independence.

"We wouldn't dream of giving the murdering scum-suckers the satisfaction of changing a thing," said Art Van Bodegraven of Alpharetta, Ga. "We'll be out and about, standing tall at the parade."

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/news/2002/2002-07-03-holiday-security.htm