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CNN Live Today
Ridge Says Security Will be Tight for Bush Inauguration
Aired January 11, 2005 - 11:30 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.
TONY HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: Crews are searching for possible survivors this morning buried after a mudslide in La Conchita, California. Three people are confirmed dead, and more than a dozen may be missing. The river of mud came down after weeks of heavy rain in Southern California.
The massive amount of tsunami aid pouring into Indonesia is putting a strain on the Banda Aceh airport, so officials have opened a second airport on an island north of the city. The Banda Aceh airport became the nerve center of the relief effort in Indonesia following the tsunami disaster.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Washington, D.C. is getting ready to host a party of historic proportions, marking President Bush's second term. With all these celebrations and big-name guests, security will be tight and it will be everywhere.
As we continue our "Security Watch," our Mike Brooks joins me now with a preview of the inaugural security plans. Big party, big plans for security.
MIKE BROOKS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Big party, big plans. A lot of people, a lot of guests and also protesters. They're preparing for both. The protesters are saying that they are not being given an area so they can have their First Amendment activity. But security is the first concern.
KAGAN: So those are all the people that are supposed to be there.
BROOKS: Exactly. Those are all the people that are supposed to be.
KAGAN: But you also have to plan for the people who you don't want to show up.
BROOKS: Exactly. And they're looking at thousands of those people, too, Daryn.
KAGAN: Meaning terrorists or people...
BROOKS: Terrorists or -- yes, exactly. What you're going to see, you're going to see, I think, similar to what you saw during the Reagan funeral. Those kind of things. But this is the first inaugural since 2001.
KAGAN: Exactly. BROOKS: So with that in mind, you're going to see checkpoints along the parade routes. Everyone who has a seat to watch the parade or standing, you're going to have to go through checkpoints. And I'm being told today that it's going to be a checkpoints similar to what you go through in an airport.
In fact, there may be people from the Transportation Security Administration, similar to the ones you see when you go to the airport checking your bags when you go through there. So you don't want to bring big bags, no backpacks, anything at all like. The least amount you carry, the faster you're going to get through security.
KAGAN: Great. So the people who don't let us get on the planes, but let the people sneak through...
BROOKS: Exactly.
KAGAN: They're the ones who are checking security. Capital police, they're one of the agencies working on this, and the chief of that police, Terrence Gainer, earlier on AMERICAN MORNING, had this to say about how things are different. Let's listen in.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CHIEF TERRENCE GAINER, CAPITOL POLICE: Everything's changed since four years ago, especially after 9/11. But we've really been getting ready for this, based on all the events that have taken place since then, like the conventions, or the State of the Union address. So this is well-organized, a lot of law enforcement agencies working together.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAGAN: You were explaining to me in the break, this is bigger than Washington police or Capitol police. Secret Service is in charge.
BROOKS: Secret Service -- they're in charge of the overall security plan. But you still have the FBI, the National Capitol Response Squad, which is part of the Joint Terrorism Task Force. You have the FBI officer. You have them. You're going to have over 50 different police agencies from as far away as California.
They're coming in to assist, but they're also getting good experience, so when they have a special event at their venues, they can learn a lot from this. And they've learned a lot in the past. But it's still going to be very, very, tough, tough. One of the things you're going to worry about besides security is also the weather. We go back all the way to the Reagan inaugural...
KAGAN: Well, even four years ago the weather was terrible. I covered that inauguration.
BROOKS: Exactly. And having been up on the roof during one of these before, freezing myself off -- and I can tell you...
KAGAN: Let's leave it at that.
BROOKS: I can tell you, it's not pleasant, but they're going to be -- they're right now, they're planning for the worst and hoping for the best.
KAGAN: OK. This sounds expensive to me.
BROOKS: Extremely expensive. And in just a little while we're going to hear from Tom Ridge. We're also going to hear from D.C. Mayor Anthony Williams. And I'm going to be surprised -- I'll be surprised to see if he brings up the little spat that they're having right now, the District government with the U.S. government. Because the district was given $243 million in Homeland Security funds for over a three-year period so they can institute their Homeland Security funds because they are one of the biggest terrorism targets. But the government...
KAGAN: As the nation's capital. The Bush administration is saying dip into that kitty to pay for this party.
BROOKS: That's exactly right. They're saying we still want $11.3 million, the mayor is saying it's going cost approximately $17 million in just security funds to put this event on. So, I can tell you, as a former metropolitan police officer and someone who's worked these and planned these and the overtime that goes into officers' funds, I mean, the overtime funds, it's just amazing. And the District shouldn't have to foot that bill.
KAGAN: All right. We will see if it comes up in the news conference.
BROOKS: Should be interesting.
KAGAN: Mike Brooks, thank you for giving us an inside look.
Once again, we're expecting the outgoing Homeland Security Chief Tom Ridge to talk about the inauguration. He'll hold this news conference any minute. Actually, we thought it was supposed to start at 11:30. When it does happen, you'll see it live right here on CNN.
HARRIS: And turning now to an inside look at the Department of Homeland Security. It comes from Clark Kent Ervin, who until just a few weeks ago, was the agency's top watchdog. It was his job to call things as he saw them. During Ervin's tenure, he released some 200 reports, many citing mismanagement, mishandling of money and what he says was a failure of many security programs. Ervin spoke with CNN's Paula Zahn about the reasons for the lapses.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
CLARK KENT ERVIN, FMR. INSPECTOR GENERAL, DEPT. OF HOMELAND SECURITY: Well, it's a combination of things. First of all, and most importantly, I think it's a failure of leadership in management attention.
ZAHN: Are you saying that Tom Ridge was a failure when he ran the Homeland Security Department?
ERVIN: Failure is a very, very incendiary term, of course. And...
ZAHN: What would be a more accurate word to describe how you felt about his performance?
ERVIN: Well, I think the department as a whole, the whole leadership of the department, starting with the secretary, I think that the department did not live up to its promise.
And I think we have a ways to go, a considerable distance to go before we're as safe as we need to be in this post-9/11 environment with a determined enemy like the one that we have.
ZAHN: At any point during your two years of service as inspector general, did anybody try to silence you or mute your criticism?
ERVIN: Happened all the time, and I resisted it very, very fiercely.
ZAHN: Clark, can you explain to me how pressure was put on you to mute your criticism along the way?
ERVIN: There were times I was urged not to release a report to the public.
ZAHN: By whom? Would these be members of Congress?
ERVIN: Not by members of Congress but by senior members of the department. It happened on a number of occasions. And I resisted each time. The good news is that the law gave me the authority to do just that.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HARRIS: Though he would not say who did try to suppress his criticisms of the department, Ervin did say Secretary Tom Ridge was not one of them. CNN "Security Watch" keeps you up-to-date on safety. Stay tuned day and night for the most reliable news about your security.
KAGAN: Well, you might have seen these amazing pictures. Now you're going to hear the story behind this daring, dramatic rescue.
HARRIS: And later, they were born in the roaring '20s and now they're on the front lines of our security watch.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAGAN: We know more about the man who was pulled from the water and that amazing rescue that you've been seeing here on CNN. His name, Dr. Bill McRee (ph), and his doctors are saying he's going to be OK after the harrowing ordeal. McRee and his two children were swept into the water when his BMW spun out of control on a rainy highway. Our Miguel Marquez talked with the rescuers.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Come on now, come on now, come on.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Hold on!
(CROSSTALK)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He hit the water.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He hit the water.
MIGUEL MARQUEZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It was a rescue that almost didn't happen. The minutes leading up to the rescue are an example of training, ingenuity, sweat, and pure luck. The man on top of the BMW is William McCree (ph), an eye surgeon from central California. He and his Beamer are floating down a rain-swollen drainage canal called Coyote Creek in suburban Los Angeles. How he got there is a story in itself.
(on camera): McRee, his two kids, and his BMW, started off about a mile upstream, where he slid off the Santa Ana Freeway into the Coyote Creek Wash, and it was here only minutes later where he ended up and was eventually rescued.
(voice-over): McRee's 11-year-old daughter and her 12-year-old friend were hoisted to safety right after the car went in the creek. But that's when McRee and his car headed south.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Grab the rope! Grab it tight! Grab it tight!
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Get off the car.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) you guys.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Over here, over here!
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Hold on, dude!
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Where is he?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We got him over here.
MARQUEZ: McRee held tightly to a rope, the water rushing so fast it pulled his pants down around his ankles. For a moment, firefighters think they lost him. Then they did.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He's in the water.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He hit the water. A vest!
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Grab a vest.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, there you go. Hold on. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Hold on, hold on!
MARQUEZ: A closer view shows McRee literally at the end of the rope. As firefighters tried desperately to pull him to waiting hands, the rope runs out.
Right about the time that we were attempting to stop the pull on the rope and go -- and grab him was when he let go. He just didn't have the strength any longer.
MARQUEZ: McRee is able to grab a life vest tethered to a rope on the far side of the bridge.
CAPT. MARK TUBBS, SANTA FE SPRINGS FIRE DEPARTMENT: Right about the time that we were attempting to stop the pull on the rope and go and grab him was when he let go. He just didn't have the strength any longer.
MARQUEZ: Finally, McRee grabs a life vest tethered to a rope, and rescuers inch him to the side.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes! Yes! Right on!
TUBBS: We'll be talking about this for a long time. We'll critique our actions. We'll try to better, we'll improve. But it was just a great day. It's a once-in-a-lifetime career incident. And I can't wait to go home and, you know, kiss my wife and the kids and tell them, You know what? We did a great job today.
CAPT. THOMAS MCGAULEY, SANTA FE SPRINGS FIRE DEPARTMENT: It's an unusual feeling. I mean, that's not something we feel in this line of work a lot. You know, even now, I feel a little emotional about it, you know. But it's a joy that you can't really describe.
Miguel Marquez, CNN, Los Angeles.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KAGAN: And from that story behind the story, we go to Washington D.C., Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge talking about security plans for the inauguration. Let's listen.
(JOINED IN PROGRESS)
TOM RIDGE, HOMELAND SECURITY SECY.: ... had been working together for years and years on many, many occasions, and as everyone talked with me privately, talked about how better the collaboration is, the coordination, they exchanged video feeds. They're connected with wireless. These organizations, in a certain sense, represent what the Department of Homeland Security tries to do nationally, and that's integrate capacities and abilities at all levels of government and all jurisdictions, because together, they are an extremely strong force.
And I just want to thank everyone here for their work and their preparation today. But again, it's not just the past few days in anticipation of this event, these people worked together all the time in all the events in the national capital region. So this is not an on-the-job training exercise; they do it regularly, and they do it well.
I'm sorry that Mayor Williams can't be here. I guess he's under the weather. He's probably been hanging around outside without a topcoat for a couple of days and whatever. I wish him well.
Chief Ramsey, Chief Dwight Pettiford (ph) of the United States Park Police, General Gaylon Jacqueline, military district of Washington, Robert Cobb, city administrator, as I said before, director Bashor (ph), I want to thank all of you for being here with us this morning.
Ten days from now, the nation's 55th inauguration ceremony and celebration will take place. In 1789, George Washington stood in his homemade suit, placed his hand on the Bible and pledged his service to a new country. John Adams suggested that Washington be referred to as his most benign highness, but a couple others preferred simply president of the United States, and I'm sure there's another George W. that is grateful for that.
Today, as we prepare for the 55th inaugural, we wanted to convene publicly to assure all of you that the local, state and federal government is as prepared as possible to thwart any attempts of disruption of this celebration of democracy, to thwart terrorists and protect the hallmark of our democratic and constitutional traditions.
I have over the past couple of weeks received extensive briefings on all aspects of the planned security around the event, the parade route and other security measures surrounding this celebration. We've seen today, firsthand, the immense resources and the meticulous preparations that have been put in place to ensure not only the safety of those individuals who come to celebrate the inauguration, but also the safety and security of the D.C. citizens. These resources will cover all aspects of the inauguration, including the oath of office, the parade and the inaugural balls.
For more than a year, the Department of Homeland Security's secret service, in full coordination and cooperation with our partners at the federal, state and local level, has led the design and the implementation of the security planning. They have conducted comprehensive security assessments of all convention venues, and they have coordinated multiple, multiple interagency training exercises to fine tune these security procedures.
Additionally, you should know that from within our agency, the Coast Guard, the Transportation Security Administration, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and other component agencies have been fully engage in these security efforts. And, of course, due to the sense of nature of these security operations, many of the details of the security protocols that we will deploy must remain classified.
However, I can tell that you as with the case of each of last year's political conventions, you can probably refer to your notes, we'll have patrols in the harbor, and surrounding waters, providing security, led by the United States Coast Guard.
I will have mobile command vehicles positioned at strategic locations to coordinate communications across multiple law enforcement agencies, and basically to ensure that any vital tips or pieces of information is shared in a timely manner. And if we have to act upon it, we will act upon it. We will have 24/7 surveillance of key inaugural facilities, as well as portable X-ray equipment to examine packages, as well as commercial vehicles and delivery trucks entering these areas.
In addition, we will deploy trained homeland security personnel to augment the work of local law enforcement. We anticipate there will be about 6,000 law enforcement personnel here from dozens of federal, state and local agencies. We will utilize record numbers of K-9 bob teams. We're spending a great deal of money in the department of homeland security, very appropriately, on the technology of detection, but get back to the basic K-9 team. They're about as good as they get.
We'll increase security at hotels to protect both the buildings and the ventilation systems, and we will monitor and protect key transportation systems.
Now, in addition, to all of the technology and the additional security professionals, the vigilance of local law enforcement, fire personnel, private businesses, hospital workers, state and local government officials and D.C. citizens is critical. Inauguration attendees and residents of this great city also have an integral role to play in the security of this very, very important Democratic symbol.
I'm just going to remind everyone as often as we can to remain vigilant. If you see any suspicious items or activities, we just ask you to go up to one of those local law enforcement personnel and report it. Vigilance is the added level of security that those who are participating in the inaugural events and the citizens of the community can add to our security effort. You can well imagine that the security for this occasion will be unprecedented. Protective measures will be seen. There will be quite a few that are not seen. Our goal is that any attempt on the part of anyone or any group to disrupt the inaugural will be repelled by multiple layers of security. More work will continue over the remaining days.
I can tell you that the security will be at the highest levels that they've ever been for any inauguration. Federal, state and local officials represented by the individuals who joined me on stage are working hard and working together around the clock to ensure we leave nothing to chance.
Our system of government is rooted in the sovereign principle of Democratic authority bestowed by the people. And the people, both the inauguration participants and city residents, are resolved to go forward with an event that so deeply reflects that ideal. The theme of this year's inauguration activities is celebrating freedom, honoring service. it is a theme of life that has rallied America, citizen to citizen, for more than 228 years. It truly is the heart of the American character.
And on inauguration day, and for that matter, every day of the year, Americans will continue to work together to uphold and to defend the freedoms and Democratic traditions that had been so long enjoyed by generations of our fellow citizens.
Again, I commend everyone that's been involved for the past year in preparation of this historic event, and we'll look forward to finishing our preparation and conducting the celebration of democracy as scheduled next Thursday. Thank you.
Yes? Right here -- yes?
Shortly after the president announced the judge's succession to me as secretary of homeland security, I had a wonderful conversation with him. I do not pretend to know him well. I know him by reputation. He's got great intellect, great energy. He has been an extremely successful lawyer in both the public and the private sector. We talked a little bit about making sure the transition goes as smoothly and effectively as possible.
Frankly, I really look forward to working with the judge. He comes well equipped by experience, and temperament and background to be a very effective and capable secretary. Yes.
QUESTION: Yes, the apparent decision of the federal government to use district funds, homeland security funds, for this inauguration? Considering some of those funds are going through basics like bleachers? Do you agree with that decision?
RIDGE: Well, the request that has been made of my department, and which we approved, was using some of the money for additional security measures, which is something that the mayors of Boston and New York and others have done from time to time.
I'm not aware that they're spending any of the dollars for infrastructure improvements, but they are entitled and eligible to use those dollars for overtime costs. So because money is fungible, maybe taking money out of the city's pot that they might have otherwise put into overtime, and we're just basically replacing that with overtime dollars. Yes?
There's very little to talk about. Because there is no specific threat directed toward the inaugural or the inaugural activities. You know, back in March and April, there was quite a bit of discussion that we picked up with regard to the election-year threat. Within the department, we just, again, not getting too comfortable with some kind of calendar beginning and end to what a threat would be, planned it through inauguration day.
But the fact that you, as I said the other day, the decibel level is down doesn't really mean that we would ever be less vigilant. They are strategic actors. This is the most visible manifestation of our democracy. When the people in power, two elected individuals to lead the country as president and vice president. So yes, there's very little intelligence, but we're as vigilant as ever. As I said before, it's an unprecedented level of security around this inaugural.
Sir?
KAGAN: We've been listening in to Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge talking about security plans for the upcoming inauguration of President Bush. He said it will be an unprecedented level of security. This also coming on the day, interestingly enough, that President Bush has decided who he would like to replace Tom Ridge, who is the outgoing secretary. Michael Chertoff, a federal appeals judge who has experience in the Justice Department as well.
Wolf is going to have a lot more on the inauguration and a lot more on Michael Chertoff. Also, a lot more on the weather in the West. A lot of news coming up, but that's going to do it for us. Thanks for stepping in.
HARRIS: My pleasure.
KAGAN: We'll see you on Friday. I'm Daryn Kagan. Wolf Blitzer up next, after this break.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
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Aired January 11, 2005 - 11:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
TONY HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: Crews are searching for possible survivors this morning buried after a mudslide in La Conchita, California. Three people are confirmed dead, and more than a dozen may be missing. The river of mud came down after weeks of heavy rain in Southern California.
The massive amount of tsunami aid pouring into Indonesia is putting a strain on the Banda Aceh airport, so officials have opened a second airport on an island north of the city. The Banda Aceh airport became the nerve center of the relief effort in Indonesia following the tsunami disaster.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Washington, D.C. is getting ready to host a party of historic proportions, marking President Bush's second term. With all these celebrations and big-name guests, security will be tight and it will be everywhere.
As we continue our "Security Watch," our Mike Brooks joins me now with a preview of the inaugural security plans. Big party, big plans for security.
MIKE BROOKS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Big party, big plans. A lot of people, a lot of guests and also protesters. They're preparing for both. The protesters are saying that they are not being given an area so they can have their First Amendment activity. But security is the first concern.
KAGAN: So those are all the people that are supposed to be there.
BROOKS: Exactly. Those are all the people that are supposed to be.
KAGAN: But you also have to plan for the people who you don't want to show up.
BROOKS: Exactly. And they're looking at thousands of those people, too, Daryn.
KAGAN: Meaning terrorists or people...
BROOKS: Terrorists or -- yes, exactly. What you're going to see, you're going to see, I think, similar to what you saw during the Reagan funeral. Those kind of things. But this is the first inaugural since 2001.
KAGAN: Exactly. BROOKS: So with that in mind, you're going to see checkpoints along the parade routes. Everyone who has a seat to watch the parade or standing, you're going to have to go through checkpoints. And I'm being told today that it's going to be a checkpoints similar to what you go through in an airport.
In fact, there may be people from the Transportation Security Administration, similar to the ones you see when you go to the airport checking your bags when you go through there. So you don't want to bring big bags, no backpacks, anything at all like. The least amount you carry, the faster you're going to get through security.
KAGAN: Great. So the people who don't let us get on the planes, but let the people sneak through...
BROOKS: Exactly.
KAGAN: They're the ones who are checking security. Capital police, they're one of the agencies working on this, and the chief of that police, Terrence Gainer, earlier on AMERICAN MORNING, had this to say about how things are different. Let's listen in.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CHIEF TERRENCE GAINER, CAPITOL POLICE: Everything's changed since four years ago, especially after 9/11. But we've really been getting ready for this, based on all the events that have taken place since then, like the conventions, or the State of the Union address. So this is well-organized, a lot of law enforcement agencies working together.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAGAN: You were explaining to me in the break, this is bigger than Washington police or Capitol police. Secret Service is in charge.
BROOKS: Secret Service -- they're in charge of the overall security plan. But you still have the FBI, the National Capitol Response Squad, which is part of the Joint Terrorism Task Force. You have the FBI officer. You have them. You're going to have over 50 different police agencies from as far away as California.
They're coming in to assist, but they're also getting good experience, so when they have a special event at their venues, they can learn a lot from this. And they've learned a lot in the past. But it's still going to be very, very, tough, tough. One of the things you're going to worry about besides security is also the weather. We go back all the way to the Reagan inaugural...
KAGAN: Well, even four years ago the weather was terrible. I covered that inauguration.
BROOKS: Exactly. And having been up on the roof during one of these before, freezing myself off -- and I can tell you...
KAGAN: Let's leave it at that.
BROOKS: I can tell you, it's not pleasant, but they're going to be -- they're right now, they're planning for the worst and hoping for the best.
KAGAN: OK. This sounds expensive to me.
BROOKS: Extremely expensive. And in just a little while we're going to hear from Tom Ridge. We're also going to hear from D.C. Mayor Anthony Williams. And I'm going to be surprised -- I'll be surprised to see if he brings up the little spat that they're having right now, the District government with the U.S. government. Because the district was given $243 million in Homeland Security funds for over a three-year period so they can institute their Homeland Security funds because they are one of the biggest terrorism targets. But the government...
KAGAN: As the nation's capital. The Bush administration is saying dip into that kitty to pay for this party.
BROOKS: That's exactly right. They're saying we still want $11.3 million, the mayor is saying it's going cost approximately $17 million in just security funds to put this event on. So, I can tell you, as a former metropolitan police officer and someone who's worked these and planned these and the overtime that goes into officers' funds, I mean, the overtime funds, it's just amazing. And the District shouldn't have to foot that bill.
KAGAN: All right. We will see if it comes up in the news conference.
BROOKS: Should be interesting.
KAGAN: Mike Brooks, thank you for giving us an inside look.
Once again, we're expecting the outgoing Homeland Security Chief Tom Ridge to talk about the inauguration. He'll hold this news conference any minute. Actually, we thought it was supposed to start at 11:30. When it does happen, you'll see it live right here on CNN.
HARRIS: And turning now to an inside look at the Department of Homeland Security. It comes from Clark Kent Ervin, who until just a few weeks ago, was the agency's top watchdog. It was his job to call things as he saw them. During Ervin's tenure, he released some 200 reports, many citing mismanagement, mishandling of money and what he says was a failure of many security programs. Ervin spoke with CNN's Paula Zahn about the reasons for the lapses.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
CLARK KENT ERVIN, FMR. INSPECTOR GENERAL, DEPT. OF HOMELAND SECURITY: Well, it's a combination of things. First of all, and most importantly, I think it's a failure of leadership in management attention.
ZAHN: Are you saying that Tom Ridge was a failure when he ran the Homeland Security Department?
ERVIN: Failure is a very, very incendiary term, of course. And...
ZAHN: What would be a more accurate word to describe how you felt about his performance?
ERVIN: Well, I think the department as a whole, the whole leadership of the department, starting with the secretary, I think that the department did not live up to its promise.
And I think we have a ways to go, a considerable distance to go before we're as safe as we need to be in this post-9/11 environment with a determined enemy like the one that we have.
ZAHN: At any point during your two years of service as inspector general, did anybody try to silence you or mute your criticism?
ERVIN: Happened all the time, and I resisted it very, very fiercely.
ZAHN: Clark, can you explain to me how pressure was put on you to mute your criticism along the way?
ERVIN: There were times I was urged not to release a report to the public.
ZAHN: By whom? Would these be members of Congress?
ERVIN: Not by members of Congress but by senior members of the department. It happened on a number of occasions. And I resisted each time. The good news is that the law gave me the authority to do just that.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HARRIS: Though he would not say who did try to suppress his criticisms of the department, Ervin did say Secretary Tom Ridge was not one of them. CNN "Security Watch" keeps you up-to-date on safety. Stay tuned day and night for the most reliable news about your security.
KAGAN: Well, you might have seen these amazing pictures. Now you're going to hear the story behind this daring, dramatic rescue.
HARRIS: And later, they were born in the roaring '20s and now they're on the front lines of our security watch.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAGAN: We know more about the man who was pulled from the water and that amazing rescue that you've been seeing here on CNN. His name, Dr. Bill McRee (ph), and his doctors are saying he's going to be OK after the harrowing ordeal. McRee and his two children were swept into the water when his BMW spun out of control on a rainy highway. Our Miguel Marquez talked with the rescuers.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Come on now, come on now, come on.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Hold on!
(CROSSTALK)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He hit the water.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He hit the water.
MIGUEL MARQUEZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It was a rescue that almost didn't happen. The minutes leading up to the rescue are an example of training, ingenuity, sweat, and pure luck. The man on top of the BMW is William McCree (ph), an eye surgeon from central California. He and his Beamer are floating down a rain-swollen drainage canal called Coyote Creek in suburban Los Angeles. How he got there is a story in itself.
(on camera): McRee, his two kids, and his BMW, started off about a mile upstream, where he slid off the Santa Ana Freeway into the Coyote Creek Wash, and it was here only minutes later where he ended up and was eventually rescued.
(voice-over): McRee's 11-year-old daughter and her 12-year-old friend were hoisted to safety right after the car went in the creek. But that's when McRee and his car headed south.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Grab the rope! Grab it tight! Grab it tight!
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Get off the car.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) you guys.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Over here, over here!
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Hold on, dude!
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Where is he?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We got him over here.
MARQUEZ: McRee held tightly to a rope, the water rushing so fast it pulled his pants down around his ankles. For a moment, firefighters think they lost him. Then they did.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He's in the water.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He hit the water. A vest!
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Grab a vest.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, there you go. Hold on. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Hold on, hold on!
MARQUEZ: A closer view shows McRee literally at the end of the rope. As firefighters tried desperately to pull him to waiting hands, the rope runs out.
Right about the time that we were attempting to stop the pull on the rope and go -- and grab him was when he let go. He just didn't have the strength any longer.
MARQUEZ: McRee is able to grab a life vest tethered to a rope on the far side of the bridge.
CAPT. MARK TUBBS, SANTA FE SPRINGS FIRE DEPARTMENT: Right about the time that we were attempting to stop the pull on the rope and go and grab him was when he let go. He just didn't have the strength any longer.
MARQUEZ: Finally, McRee grabs a life vest tethered to a rope, and rescuers inch him to the side.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes! Yes! Right on!
TUBBS: We'll be talking about this for a long time. We'll critique our actions. We'll try to better, we'll improve. But it was just a great day. It's a once-in-a-lifetime career incident. And I can't wait to go home and, you know, kiss my wife and the kids and tell them, You know what? We did a great job today.
CAPT. THOMAS MCGAULEY, SANTA FE SPRINGS FIRE DEPARTMENT: It's an unusual feeling. I mean, that's not something we feel in this line of work a lot. You know, even now, I feel a little emotional about it, you know. But it's a joy that you can't really describe.
Miguel Marquez, CNN, Los Angeles.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KAGAN: And from that story behind the story, we go to Washington D.C., Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge talking about security plans for the inauguration. Let's listen.
(JOINED IN PROGRESS)
TOM RIDGE, HOMELAND SECURITY SECY.: ... had been working together for years and years on many, many occasions, and as everyone talked with me privately, talked about how better the collaboration is, the coordination, they exchanged video feeds. They're connected with wireless. These organizations, in a certain sense, represent what the Department of Homeland Security tries to do nationally, and that's integrate capacities and abilities at all levels of government and all jurisdictions, because together, they are an extremely strong force.
And I just want to thank everyone here for their work and their preparation today. But again, it's not just the past few days in anticipation of this event, these people worked together all the time in all the events in the national capital region. So this is not an on-the-job training exercise; they do it regularly, and they do it well.
I'm sorry that Mayor Williams can't be here. I guess he's under the weather. He's probably been hanging around outside without a topcoat for a couple of days and whatever. I wish him well.
Chief Ramsey, Chief Dwight Pettiford (ph) of the United States Park Police, General Gaylon Jacqueline, military district of Washington, Robert Cobb, city administrator, as I said before, director Bashor (ph), I want to thank all of you for being here with us this morning.
Ten days from now, the nation's 55th inauguration ceremony and celebration will take place. In 1789, George Washington stood in his homemade suit, placed his hand on the Bible and pledged his service to a new country. John Adams suggested that Washington be referred to as his most benign highness, but a couple others preferred simply president of the United States, and I'm sure there's another George W. that is grateful for that.
Today, as we prepare for the 55th inaugural, we wanted to convene publicly to assure all of you that the local, state and federal government is as prepared as possible to thwart any attempts of disruption of this celebration of democracy, to thwart terrorists and protect the hallmark of our democratic and constitutional traditions.
I have over the past couple of weeks received extensive briefings on all aspects of the planned security around the event, the parade route and other security measures surrounding this celebration. We've seen today, firsthand, the immense resources and the meticulous preparations that have been put in place to ensure not only the safety of those individuals who come to celebrate the inauguration, but also the safety and security of the D.C. citizens. These resources will cover all aspects of the inauguration, including the oath of office, the parade and the inaugural balls.
For more than a year, the Department of Homeland Security's secret service, in full coordination and cooperation with our partners at the federal, state and local level, has led the design and the implementation of the security planning. They have conducted comprehensive security assessments of all convention venues, and they have coordinated multiple, multiple interagency training exercises to fine tune these security procedures.
Additionally, you should know that from within our agency, the Coast Guard, the Transportation Security Administration, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and other component agencies have been fully engage in these security efforts. And, of course, due to the sense of nature of these security operations, many of the details of the security protocols that we will deploy must remain classified.
However, I can tell that you as with the case of each of last year's political conventions, you can probably refer to your notes, we'll have patrols in the harbor, and surrounding waters, providing security, led by the United States Coast Guard.
I will have mobile command vehicles positioned at strategic locations to coordinate communications across multiple law enforcement agencies, and basically to ensure that any vital tips or pieces of information is shared in a timely manner. And if we have to act upon it, we will act upon it. We will have 24/7 surveillance of key inaugural facilities, as well as portable X-ray equipment to examine packages, as well as commercial vehicles and delivery trucks entering these areas.
In addition, we will deploy trained homeland security personnel to augment the work of local law enforcement. We anticipate there will be about 6,000 law enforcement personnel here from dozens of federal, state and local agencies. We will utilize record numbers of K-9 bob teams. We're spending a great deal of money in the department of homeland security, very appropriately, on the technology of detection, but get back to the basic K-9 team. They're about as good as they get.
We'll increase security at hotels to protect both the buildings and the ventilation systems, and we will monitor and protect key transportation systems.
Now, in addition, to all of the technology and the additional security professionals, the vigilance of local law enforcement, fire personnel, private businesses, hospital workers, state and local government officials and D.C. citizens is critical. Inauguration attendees and residents of this great city also have an integral role to play in the security of this very, very important Democratic symbol.
I'm just going to remind everyone as often as we can to remain vigilant. If you see any suspicious items or activities, we just ask you to go up to one of those local law enforcement personnel and report it. Vigilance is the added level of security that those who are participating in the inaugural events and the citizens of the community can add to our security effort. You can well imagine that the security for this occasion will be unprecedented. Protective measures will be seen. There will be quite a few that are not seen. Our goal is that any attempt on the part of anyone or any group to disrupt the inaugural will be repelled by multiple layers of security. More work will continue over the remaining days.
I can tell you that the security will be at the highest levels that they've ever been for any inauguration. Federal, state and local officials represented by the individuals who joined me on stage are working hard and working together around the clock to ensure we leave nothing to chance.
Our system of government is rooted in the sovereign principle of Democratic authority bestowed by the people. And the people, both the inauguration participants and city residents, are resolved to go forward with an event that so deeply reflects that ideal. The theme of this year's inauguration activities is celebrating freedom, honoring service. it is a theme of life that has rallied America, citizen to citizen, for more than 228 years. It truly is the heart of the American character.
And on inauguration day, and for that matter, every day of the year, Americans will continue to work together to uphold and to defend the freedoms and Democratic traditions that had been so long enjoyed by generations of our fellow citizens.
Again, I commend everyone that's been involved for the past year in preparation of this historic event, and we'll look forward to finishing our preparation and conducting the celebration of democracy as scheduled next Thursday. Thank you.
Yes? Right here -- yes?
Shortly after the president announced the judge's succession to me as secretary of homeland security, I had a wonderful conversation with him. I do not pretend to know him well. I know him by reputation. He's got great intellect, great energy. He has been an extremely successful lawyer in both the public and the private sector. We talked a little bit about making sure the transition goes as smoothly and effectively as possible.
Frankly, I really look forward to working with the judge. He comes well equipped by experience, and temperament and background to be a very effective and capable secretary. Yes.
QUESTION: Yes, the apparent decision of the federal government to use district funds, homeland security funds, for this inauguration? Considering some of those funds are going through basics like bleachers? Do you agree with that decision?
RIDGE: Well, the request that has been made of my department, and which we approved, was using some of the money for additional security measures, which is something that the mayors of Boston and New York and others have done from time to time.
I'm not aware that they're spending any of the dollars for infrastructure improvements, but they are entitled and eligible to use those dollars for overtime costs. So because money is fungible, maybe taking money out of the city's pot that they might have otherwise put into overtime, and we're just basically replacing that with overtime dollars. Yes?
There's very little to talk about. Because there is no specific threat directed toward the inaugural or the inaugural activities. You know, back in March and April, there was quite a bit of discussion that we picked up with regard to the election-year threat. Within the department, we just, again, not getting too comfortable with some kind of calendar beginning and end to what a threat would be, planned it through inauguration day.
But the fact that you, as I said the other day, the decibel level is down doesn't really mean that we would ever be less vigilant. They are strategic actors. This is the most visible manifestation of our democracy. When the people in power, two elected individuals to lead the country as president and vice president. So yes, there's very little intelligence, but we're as vigilant as ever. As I said before, it's an unprecedented level of security around this inaugural.
Sir?
KAGAN: We've been listening in to Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge talking about security plans for the upcoming inauguration of President Bush. He said it will be an unprecedented level of security. This also coming on the day, interestingly enough, that President Bush has decided who he would like to replace Tom Ridge, who is the outgoing secretary. Michael Chertoff, a federal appeals judge who has experience in the Justice Department as well.
Wolf is going to have a lot more on the inauguration and a lot more on Michael Chertoff. Also, a lot more on the weather in the West. A lot of news coming up, but that's going to do it for us. Thanks for stepping in.
HARRIS: My pleasure.
KAGAN: We'll see you on Friday. I'm Daryn Kagan. Wolf Blitzer up next, after this break.
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