On Monday June 29, Mayor Muriel Bowser held the District’s annual July 4th Public Safety Update, outlining road closures, security measures and preparations for the nation’s semi quincentennial Independence Day celebration amid an expected heat wave.
The Salute to America Celebration and Fireworks is scheduled to begin around 10:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 4 on the National Mall, according to event organizers. Beginning later than previous years, the display is expected to last about 40 minutes. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has designated this celebration as a National Special Security Event.
The restructured celebration will bring additional road closures, increased law enforcement, expanded security, new prohibited-item restrictions and extended Metro hours. Clint Osborne the Director of the District of Columbia Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency advocated for residents to prepare differently than in years past. “If you’re going downtown and you’ve done this before, don’t assume you know what it’s going to look like.”
Downtown road closures beginning early in the week will continue to multiply as the holiday weekend approaches. Tara McLees, the Special Agent in Charge from the United States Secret Service Washington Field Office said, “street closures and access points will be much different than previous Fourth of July celebrations.”
The mayor’s office is encouraging residents to use public transportation and WMATA has extended weekend hours anticipating increased ridership. “Throughout the weekend we strongly encourage everyone to use public transportation. Use Metro wherever possible to make sure that you can have a quick and seamless ride,” said Bowser. Metrorail, Metrobus and MetroAccess will be free starting at 5 p.m. on Saturday, July 4 and extending through 2 a.m. Sunday.
Weekend celebrations will be taking place while record temperatures sweep the nation’s capital. “This has the potential to have triple-digit temperatures which may break records this week,” Osborne said. “Drink lots of water even if you don’t feel thirsty. Take breaks in the shade or in the air conditioning and check on your neighbors.”
With Fourth of July celebrations bringing visitors to the city, Assistant Director in Charge for the FBI Washington Field Office, Darren Cox reassured citizens that the city will be a safe place to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the nation, “At this time we are not tracking any credible threats related to the July 4th event, but we always remain vigilant.”
Featured image/photo courtesy of AOL.
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