Police and other officials in the District said Thursday that they will again have extra security for the annual Fourth of July celebration and announced changes to improve their emergency evacuation drill.
The District Department of Transportation is for the fourth straight year conducting the drill, which immediately follows the evening fireworks display on the Mall. But this year, the agency will pay a contractor $19,000 for a physical count of pedestrians and motorists, instead of relying on cameras.
Though officials think they have achieved the goal of moving roughly 400,000 people away from the Mall area in 90 minutes, they said contracting company staffers doing physical counts give them a more accurate picture.
“This year for the first time we will have data-collection points, which will allow us to get a really accurate strategy,” said Terry Bellamy, the transportation department’s associate director.
He also said such work with video cameras was “too tedious and time-consuming” for government workers.
The effort will include changing traffic-light patterns at intersections and the assistance of 60 staffers from 14 city and regional agencies.
In previous years, the drill, known as Fast Forward, included four-minute green lights and pedestrian-only corridors.
The U.S. Park Police, the Metropolitan Police Department and the D.C. fire and emergency management department will be among the 14 agencies monitoring July Fourth events and crowds.
The D.C. Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency will again coordinate efforts throughout the day, which officially starts with the National Independence Day Parade along Constitution Avenue Northwest at 11:45 a.m. and concludes with the fireworks display that is scheduled to start at 9:30 p.m.
“With a mobile command center, as well as a unified communications center, all public safety agencies will be able to communicate seamlessly,” said agency spokesman Donneshia Taylor.
Mall visitors must enter through 18 access points. All people, coolers, backpacks and packages are subject to inspection upon entering Mall grounds. No alcohol, glass or fireworks are allowed on park property.
This is one of the largest events for the Park Police and requires most of the agency’s resources, Sgt. Robert Lachance said.
Assistant Homeland Security Bureau, declined to give specifics but said, “We’re very well staffed, both in neighborhoods for parades, and at the Mall for people enjoying the fireworks.”
Metro trains will run from 7 a.m. to 3 a.m. Reduced fares are in effect and parking at Metro-operated lots is free. Federal Triangle.
Metro said 499,341 passengers rode July 4, 2007, and 451,623 rode it in 2006. The major factors impacting ridership are weather and on which day the holiday falls, said agency spokeswoman President Ronald Reagan’s state funeral, with 850,636 passengers.
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