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American Morning

America Strikes Back: In Washington, Police Block Off Capitol to Trucks

Aired October 11, 2001 - 11:35   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.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: In Washington today, police began to block large trucks and RVs from a 40-block stretch around the Capitol and Supreme Court area. Security is the concern here.

Kate Snow, on the Hill, joins us with more now.

Kate, hello.

KATE SNOW, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Bill.

Ever since September 11, there has been a lot of concern about how to reduce the vulnerability of the U.S. Capitol. In fact, one of the biggest, trickiest parts is that the Capitol sits literally at the center of Washington, D.C. Take a look over here. You can see how close a major thoroughfare is -- that is Independence Avenue. As of this morning, no trucks or vehicles over one 1 1/4 tons -- about the size of small FedEx truck -- are going to be allowed on that street or any of the streets in a 40-square area around the Capitol.

This morning, they've been telling truck drivers about the change. They've been handing out pamphlets all morning, trying to get the word out about this change. Tomorrow morning, they will begin strictly enforcing the change.

They are trying to find a way, though, to try to allow for tour buses to be in the area. That's a big concern for tourists here. They say they want to keep the area accessible to tourists.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

LT. DAN NICHOLS, CAPITOL POLICE SPOKESMAN: We want to encourage people to come to the Capitol complex. We don't want to send the wrong signals. And while we want to make sure this place is safe and secure, we are not going to make it a fortress. That's not what our goal is. That's not what America wants.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SNOW: Nichols says that there was no direct threat to the Capitol. They were very clear about that. They did not have any kind of threat from large vehicles. It's just something they are doing as a precautionary measure. Is an indefinite change, Bill, meaning it could be a permanent change to this area, and they still hold out the possibility that one day they could decide to completely limit traffic around the Capitol area. Bit of traffic nightmare for some of the folks that have to drive through this city, I might add -- Bill.

HEMMER: A taste of things to come.

Kate, thanks. Kate Snow, on Capitol Hill.

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