Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Live Today

Interview with Teresa Chambers

Aired July 01, 2002 - 12:13   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: The Bush administration is urging Americans to enjoy the Fourth of July, but remain vigilant. Law enforcement agencies across the country are on alert over reports that terrorists may be planning an attack on Independence Day.

CNN's Jeanne Meserve joins us from the Washington Mall with more on the security preps.

Jeanne, I hear they're guarding those fire works 24/7.

JEANNE MESERVE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Kyra, you can see, behind me, some of the security measures already being put in place. You might see snow fencing back there. Miles and miles of that have been put up. It's to control the flow of people and items onto the Mall for that huge celebration we anticipate in a couple of days' time.

With me is one of the key people who have put together the security plan, Chief Teresa Chamber of the U.S. Park Police. Thanks a lot for joining us.

CHIEF TERESA CHAMBERS, U.S. PARK POLICE: Thank you, Jeanne.

MESERVE: What security are revelers going to see here on the mall on July Fourth?

CHAMBERS: Well, you just mentioned one of the most visible things, and that's the snow fencing that you see being installed around us. They're actually be a parallel row of snow fencing. And officers every so often along the way. In fact, we have over 2,000 uniformed officers from area jurisdictions. Sixteen different agencies have come together to make this a safe and secure holiday for everybody that comes to this.

MESERVE: So what's the point of the fencing?

CHAMBERS: Well, the point of the fencing is we'll be able to funnel people through control areas. We'll be inspecting all backpacks, coolers, any package that's brought on board, making sure that there's no alcohol, no weapons, no fireworks, anything illegal. The less people bring down, the quicker they'll get through security screening, and that's important to us.

MESERVE: Why the double fencing? CHAMBERS: Well, we want officers to be available in-between so the people can't pass over, say, a six-pack of beer or any weapon or anything that shouldn't belong in there. It gives us that other added measure of security. What it also does for us, though, it doesn't make a hardened barrier. We, certainly, didn't want folks to feel they are fenced in on Independence Day. This is a great place to celebrate our freedom, here, in the nation's capital, and we want folks to really experience that.

MESERVE: I have to imagine there's going to be plenty of security we won't see. Tell us about that.

CHAMBERS: Well, and that's important, too, and I'm glad you brought that up. People should not assume that just what they see is all that there are. We will have officers wandering the crowds. We have security cameras. And other parts of the plan that we won't discuss publicly. We want this to be best Independence Day celebration this country has ever experienced.

MESERVE: I've had a number of people come to me and ask, is it going to be safe to go down there on July Fourth? Is it?

CHAMBERS: Well, my family will be down here, and I hear that from many of my officers and employees of the Park Service, as well. We want to bring our families down to show them what we can do collaboratively, when we stand together and say this is what America's freedom is all about. I spent men many a day here as a child, and I listened to that patriotic music, and I watched the fireworks, and a chill came over me, and to now have the privilege to serve in a capacity to make certain that that patriotism and that freedom stands is overwhelming, and it's an honor to be a part of this. I hope everyone will come and enjoy what being an American in the nation's capital on the Fourth of July means.

MESERVE: Well, some people are saying there's a bit of a contradictory message, here. We're talking about freedom, and, yet, there are going to be a lot of restrictions here. Is it too much?

CHAMBERS: I believe it's just right. It's much like we would see at the airports now. I think American public has grown to expect a certain level of security and, frankly, if I were to walk into an airport today and that security was gone, I be almost offended. Well, the same thing here. We understand that the United States Park Police must provide a level of security. We will make folks feel welcome and, also, secure once they get here. We believe we've done that.

MESERVE: OK. Teresa Chambers. Chief of the U.S. Park Police. Thanks for joining us today.

CHAMBERS: Thank you.

MESERVE: And U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft in meetings, today, to discuss July Fourth security. No change in nation's threat alert status. However, law enforcement agencies around the country have been told to be vigilant this Fourth of July holiday.

Kyra, back to you.

PHILLIPS: All right. Jeanne Meserve, thank you so much.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com