Fifty-one weeks out of the year people walk by the White House and try to spot the snipers lying in wait on the roof, imagining the Secret Service listening to their every word. But those security measures pale in comparison to those being taken this week for the 2009 Inauguration celebrations – and the security permeating the whole city is much more visible as well. Foggy Bottom itself is a hotbed of military activity. Walking down the street, you are likely to encounter men and women in fatigues and at least one police vehicle on each block. Road closings have been prevalent as well - residents of Thurston Hall have been able to attest to this with the presence of army trucks stationed at 19th and F and 18th and F Streets. Trucks carrying road blockades have been seen within a five to ten block radius of the White House. For most commuters, it will make little sense to be traveling by car within the city. Even ways in and out of the city have been closed off. But the changes to travel routes in DC haven’t ended on the streets – the Metro has modified some stations as exit- or entry-only. A complete list can be found at http://MetroOpensDoors.com.
For GW students, the security has obviously been a hassle. Christophe Hollocou says that the security for the GW campus itself hasn’t been too bad. He noted that Thurston Hall itself it usually more intense about security than other residence halls because residents have to swipe in on every other day of the school year. He said, “The security in the city is a real pain, but it’s only a couple of days. It’s worth it for something so monumental that we’re going to remember forever.”
- Jenn Neuner
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