Inauguration Security Gets a Second Hard Look

Inauguration Security Gets a Second Hard Look

  • Jan 08, 2021

Things will be different on Inauguration Day, Jan. 20. They better be considering the riotous events on Jan. 6, when protestors rushed the Capitol and broke into congressional chambers.

President-elect Joe Biden has been duly elected the next president of the United States and will be sworn in as such. However his inaugural planning team, which was challenged already, thanks to a global pandemic and civil unrest thanks to Donald Trump, security ramped up even more.

Biden said after the attack on the Capitol, that this was “an assault on our democracy.” Safety and security plans are getting a reassessment, though a complete overhaul will not be necessary.

“The great American tradition of an inaugural ceremony has occurred in times of peace, in times of turmoil, in times of prosperity, and in times of adversity,” Sens. Roy Blunt (R-MO) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), of the committee, said in reaffirming their commitment to the ceremony on the West Front of the Capitol.

Staffmembers working on the Inauguration have said the maintaining public safety and any angry and violent protestors away from the area. Biden also expressed confidence that events would be safe and secure. “The American people are going to stand up. Enough is enough is enough,” he said.

Security staff have been preparing for months in anticipation of this event, and because of recent activity, Capitol Police are likely to be replaced with thousands of other law enforcement officials. An inauguration most often includes several federal agencies coordinating efforts to establish security perimeters, and focus on terrorist threats and crisis management.

If anything, Wednesday’s events may have helped planners to understand where security must be placed, and the need for additional law enforcement on station prior to the swearing-in ceremony. Already in place is a seven-foot-tall fence around the Capitol, which will remain in place for at least a month.

Key Republicans will be present at this event, and have already pledged to attend. Also attending will be former President George W. Bush and his wife, Laura. Vice President Mike Pence is expected to attend as well.

Featured

  • Data Driven, Proactive Response

    As cities face rising demands for smarter policing and faster emergency response, Real Time Crime Centers (RTCCs) are emerging as essential hubs for data-driven public safety. In this interview, two experts with deep field experience — Ross Bourgeois of New Orleans and Dean Cunningham of Axis Communications — draw on decades of operational, leadership and technology expertise to share how RTCCs are transforming public safety through innovation, interagency collaboration and a relentless focus on community impact. Read Now

  • Integration Imagination: The Future of Connected Operations

    Security teams that collaborate cross-functionally and apply imagination and creativity to envision and design their ideal integrated ecosystem will have the biggest upside to corporate security and operational benefits. Read Now

  • Smarter Access Starts with Flexibility

    Today’s workplaces are undergoing a rapid evolution, driven by hybrid work models, emerging smart technologies, and flexible work schedules. To keep pace with growing workplace demands, buildings are becoming more dynamic – capable of adapting to how people move, work, and interact in real-time. Read Now

  • Trends Keeping an Eye on Business Decisions

    Today, AI continues to transform the way data is used to make important business decisions. AI and the cloud together are redefining how video surveillance systems are being used to simulate human intelligence by combining data analysis, prediction, and process automation with minimal human intervention. Many organizations are upgrading their surveillance systems to reap the benefits of technologies like AI and cloud applications. Read Now

  • The Future is Happening Outside the Cloud

    For years, the cloud has captivated the physical security industry. And for good reason. Remote access, elastic scalability and simplified maintenance reshaped how we think about deploying and managing systems. But as the number of cameras grows and resolutions push from HD to 4K and beyond, the cloud’s limits are becoming unavoidable. Bandwidth bottlenecks. Latency lags. Rising storage costs. These are not abstract concerns. Read Now

Most   Popular

New Products

  • QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC)

    QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC)

    The latest Qualcomm® Vision Intelligence Platform offers next-generation smart camera IoT solutions to improve safety and security across enterprises, cities and spaces. The Vision Intelligence Platform was expanded in March 2022 with the introduction of the QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC), which delivers superior artificial intelligence (AI) inferencing at the edge.

  • PE80 Series

    PE80 Series by SARGENT / ED4000/PED5000 Series by Corbin Russwin

    ASSA ABLOY, a global leader in access solutions, has announced the launch of two next generation exit devices from long-standing leaders in the premium exit device market: the PE80 Series by SARGENT and the PED4000/PED5000 Series by Corbin Russwin. These new exit devices boast industry-first features that are specifically designed to provide enhanced safety, security and convenience, setting new standards for exit solutions. The SARGENT PE80 and Corbin Russwin PED4000/PED5000 Series exit devices are engineered to meet the ever-evolving needs of modern buildings. Featuring the high strength, security and durability that ASSA ABLOY is known for, the new exit devices deliver several innovative, industry-first features in addition to elegant design finishes for every opening.

  • Compact IP Video Intercom

    Viking’s X-205 Series of intercoms provide HD IP video and two-way voice communication - all wrapped up in an attractive compact chassis.