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How do you ensure safety during an inauguration?

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    Former Secret Service director weighs in

  • Duration 4:02
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-- final security preparations are under way for tomorrow's inauguration ceremonies.

Protecting the president the dignitaries and hundreds of thousands of spectators is the top priority.

But for the six agencies overseeing security part of the job is balancing the need for everyone to enjoy the day.

Let's talk about it -- W Ralph back from a former Secret Service director who oversaw the first inauguration.

Following the 9/11 attacks that had to be a tremendous.

Responsibility we'll get to that in a second but.

As you look at what the Secret Service is doing for tomorrow how do they pull it off it if it's a celebration it's a national party.

But it has some serious over tell.

-- that's actually correct John.

-- to remember this is not just about protection the president the participants it's really.

About the protection of the democratic process and it's taken very seriously.

By those agencies the Secret Service having the lead for security.

And making sure that this is a safe and secure event.

For all participants.

The president the people are out there -- and enjoyed these ceremonies so all of that has taken into consideration.

When the planning preparation and training is being conducted.

I know you guys are professionals but I just have to ask are are you sweating bullets through the whole day I mean it's got to be awfully nerve wracking.

To make sure that everything goes off without a -- Well I certainly.

A challenge and it's certainly a challenge for all of the participants.

And Secret Service agents.

Military.

That well I suppose the best way to answer that John is that there's a tremendous amount of planning preparation.

Making sure we execute the plan properly -- so.

You're very busy that day you're very very involved in in the -- those events so we don't have a lot of time for around.

For worrying.

And fretting over it if you're not ready that day you're not going to be ready and I assure you.

The men and women that are going to be out there tomorrow for providing that security they're -- For this year I read the Secret Service has put in an order for five tons.

Of those bulletproof glass panels.

It's it's just.

Logistically it's just a monstrous undertaking.

Four years ago the the agency sent something like four point three million people through those airport style metal detector.

That that that that's correct.

And I believe I'm not sure that that that doesn't figure that you just quoted in terms of bulletproof glass.

Is that -- I know in 2009 that was the case I'm not sure exactly what it is.

For this particular.

Inauguration.

But yes.

If you can imagine the logistics moving that number of people -- to that area.

And making sure that.

The that security is is there for all the participants.

Is a massive undertaking but but again.

Thousands of people are engaged in this process and the Secret Service.

Has recognized.

That that it's impossible for us to do this job alone and we have to rely upon our partners out there in law enforcement the military.

And others in order to be able to do that but they will be prepared to do that and I can assure you that this will be another.

Safe and secure inaugural event.

And I know the Secret Service has a website that people can check if they are planning to attend the festivities tomorrow they should check -- web site for a list of prohibited items and and the easiest way now.

And thank you for for -- mentioning that that that is important the more informed.

The the F participants are that are going to be coming here that at the last delays.

That are gonna happen at those checkpoints so the more information they have the smooth at this event and ago and the more enjoyable it's going to be forever one.

W Ralph vacuum of the former agent and director of the Secret Service it's good to have your expertise thank you.

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