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CNN Live Today

Today's Threat to Washington May Be the Heat

Aired July 04, 2002 - 11:02   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.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Up first this hour on CNN, celebrations and cautions, buzz words for today. Americans are marking Independence Day with the usual parades, picnics, and patriotism. But this year, concern after days of alerts over a possible terror attack, given the symbolism, of course, of this day.

Our Patty Davis in in Washington. She is where a half million revelers are expected on this Fourth of July -- Patty getting a spot early there on the Mall. Good morning, and happy Fourth of July to you.

PATTY DAVIS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Thanks, Daryn.

Heavy security here on Washington's National Mall for the Fourth of July festivities. Lots of road closures. The fireworks, near the Washington Monument, have also been under 24-hour guard. The people who set those fireworks up had to go through background checks. Bomb sniffing dogs this morning on the Memorial Bridge near the Lincoln Memorial. Police this Fourth of July taking no chances.

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DAVIS (voice-over): For the first time, miles of double snow fences encircle Washington's National Mall to control crowds gathered for the Fourth of July concerts and fireworks. Hundreds of thousands are expected.

CHIEF TERESA CHAMBERS, U.S. PARK POLICE: The point of the fencing is we'll be able to funnel people through controlled 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.

DAVIS: Everyone will have to enter through one of 24 checkpoints.

ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON (D), D.C. DELEGATE: I was concerned that this might be a fortress. Instead, I see that it's a pleasant, inviting snow fence that will essentially say to people you're invited to the Fourth of July.

DAVIS: More than 2,000 police are on the National Mall, some with dogs. Days off have been canceled for all Washington, D.C. officers. Overhead, police helicopters and military jets. Not so visible, undercover officers working the crowds. New security cameras, these peering from the Lincoln Memorial, serve as extra eyes. Boaters, normally allowed to watch the fireworks from near the Potomac River shore, pushed further away this year.

CHIEF TERRANCE GAINER, CAPITOL POLICE: I think we are appropriately cautiously concerned. But there is absolutely no terrorist threat. There's no specific information. But we know this is a time very unique to America. So we have to be on guard and we are. And that's why I think you see so many preparations going on by law enforcement.

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DAVIS: As for the heat, there is an excessive heat advisory out here in Washington, D.C., 99 degrees expected today. Somewhere in the range of 105 to 110 in the heat index. Now, police are telling people to bring a lot of water with you when you come down to the Mall -- Daryn.

KAGAN: All right. You keep cool and keep safe. Patty Davis on the Mall in Washington, D.C. Thank you so much.

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