Extra police help for inauguration limited

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By Gary Emerling

The roughly 4,000 police officers coming to the District to help with an expected Inauguration Day crowd of more than 1 million are punching out when the official events are over - leaving the Metropolitan Police Department in charge of monitoring visitors partying until the extended 4 a.m. last call.

"The additional officers will only be deputized by the U.S. Marshals [Service] to support specifically designated National Security Special Events on January 20th," said a Dec. 2 e-mail between staffers in Mayor Adrian M. Fenty's office and for the D.C. Council's public safety committee, which extended the last call. "These include the inauguration, the parade, and the official inaugural balls."

Police spokeswoman Traci Hughes confirmed Thursday that "outside law enforcement agencies will only be deputized" on Jan. 20, but declined to give specifics about how her department of roughly 4,000 officers will deal with the extended hours for selling drinks.

The legislation passed Tuesday also allows establishments to stay open round-the-clock from Jan. 17 to Jan. 21.

"We've planned accordingly for the extended bar hours," Miss Hughes said.

Chief Cathy L. Lanier has not publicly given her opinion on the 13-member council decision extending last call, saying only that her job is to enforce legislation passed, then signed by Mr. Fenty, a Democrat.

"I along with every member of my department will work to ensure that those celebrating this historic event are safe no matter where they are in the city," she said after the council passed similar legislation earlier this month.

However, council member Phil Mendelson, at-large Democrat, voted against the bill and discussed the e-mail during vigorous debate over the measure Tuesday.

"I know for a fact that the D.C. police are going to be stretched just dealing with the inaugural events," said Mr. Mendelson, chairman of the Committee on Public Safety and the Judiciary. "That's obvious."

The Secret Service, Capitol Police, the Metropolitan Police Department and U.S. Park Police are coordinating the security effort for the inauguration, which involves roughly 60 organizations, including military units.

Roughly 4,000 officers from as far away as New York, Florida and Ohio will assist city police.

The council approved the revised legislation 9-4, after passing a bill Dec. 2 by the same margin making last call 5 a.m. Members on Tuesday also required nightclubs to pay $250 and restaurants and bars to pay $100 each night they participate in the extended alcohol hours.

Establishments also must notify the city's Alcoholic and Beverage Control Board and the Metropolitan Police Department of their intent to participate by Jan. 7 and nightclubs must submit a safety plan.

Chief Lanier can revoke an establishment's participation if it presents a danger to the public.

Miss Hughes also confirmed that reimbursable details - which allow police officers to work security for private establishments when off duty - have been suspended during the inaugural period.

She said that change was made "in anticipation of all personnel [needed] for the inauguration" and long before the council passed its bar legislation.