National Mall and Memorial Park |  |
The following Incident Reports were extracted from the NPS Morning Reports/Coalition Reports from 1989-current. They are not a complete record of all incidents which occurred in this park during this timeframe. INCIDENTS | |
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Tuesday, April 22, 1986 An unidentified male sounding subject called U.S. Park Police Communications on one of their recorded emergency lines. The caller stated — "We blow up all mother f***ing monuments pretty soon." The caller then hung up. Personnel were dispatched along with bomb detection dogs to the following locations: Jefferson Memorial Visitors were evacuated from each of the above mentioned areas until a thorough search was made and it was determined that the area was safe. All areas were re-opened to visitors as of 10:24 AM
Location: Holocaust Memorial At about 8:30 this morning, a guard at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing reported seeing a man carrying what appeared to be plastic explosives wired for use entering the Auditor's Building. The Park Police were asked to close 15th Street, SW, to traffic between Independence and Maine Avenues. It is reported by radio reporters for station WWRC that the man is alleged to have gone into the the building, which is a Department of Agriculture structure which houses 184 employees. The building is being evacuated and the Metro police have closed 14th Street and the 14th Street bridge to Virginia. There are unconfirmed reports of a possible bomb threat directed at the Holocaust Memorial site, but the buildings at that location have already been razed, casting doubt on the validity of the rumor.
Location: 13th & O Streets NW, Washington, D.C. USPP Tactical Patrol arrested L.W. on a fugitive warrant from Prince Georges County, MD. He was charged with possession with intent to distribute. Arraignment was scheduled to be held this morning. Heroin found in his possession has an estimated street value of $64,000. (Follow-up information to come)
Location: Potomac River near Columbia Point S.E.P., age unknown, was pulle from his vehicle which was under 12 feet of water by a passing jogger. Name of jogger is unknown. Mr. S.E.P., possibly under the influence of the drug PCP, went off the roadway and into the Potomac River. Divers from the Arlington County and DC dive team ascertained that there was not still someone in the vehicle. Cause of accident, in addition to the suspicion of drugs, is continuing.
Location: Lower Watergate Roadway Two Park Police officers observed a man deliberately drive his car into the Potomac River near the Kennedy Center. Since the water there is only 2 1/2 feet deep, the car did not submerge. The officers were able to talk the man back to shore. He was transported to George Washington Hospital for medical and mental evaluation.
Location: Near the Capital Park Police officers found the body of an unidentified male on the Mall just below the Capital. The victim had a gunshot wound in the head. Since he was found to be lying on a musket-type handgun, his death has been ruled a probable suicide.
Location: Not given A suspicious-looking suitcase was found in Lafayette Park. A USPP bomb dog was brought in, and had a positive reaction to the suitcase. The Washington Metro PD bomb unit responded; Park Police and MPD closed Pennsylvania Avenue between 15th and 17th streets and rerouted pedestrian traffic. The suitcase did not contain explosives, but chemicals of an unknown type were found within. Those chemicals are now being analyzed. Investigators are also trying to determine who owns the suitcase and who left it in the park. The area was declared safe at 3:35 pm and reopened to traffic.
Location: East Potomac Tennis Courts On Sunday, July 24th, at about 7 pm, U.S. Park Police Officer Karel Blackmore, 26, and another Park Police Officer responded to a report of a man with a gun at the East Potomac Tennis Courts. At the scene the officers detained four suspects. Blackmore began to search one of the suspects and discovered a .38 caliber handgun. Taking the handgun from the suspect and backing away, Blackmore stepped off a curb and the weapon discharged striking him in the left thigh. Blackmore was transported by U.S. Park Police Helicopter to the Washington Medstar Unit and admitted. His condition is not known at this time. The individual with the handgun was an off duty Metropolitan Police Officer. U.S. Park Police and Metropolitan Police are continuing to investigate the incident.
On the evening of the 25th, US Park Police officers received a report of a nan attacking people in Pershing Park. When responding officers attempted to place him under arrest, the man began to fight with them. He was eventually controlled and handcuffed. While awaiting a transport vehicle, the officers noticed that the man was beginning to have difficulty breathing. Two officers immediately began CPR on him and continued until they were relieved by a D.C. ambulance crew. The man was transported to George Washington Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. (CompuServe message from Dave Blackburn, RAD/NCRO).
On the afternoon of September 4th, C.S. and a contingent of Guardian Angels began a peaceful vigil in the park in an avowed effort to persuade President Bush to adopt more stringent drug laws. One hundred members of the organization were to take part in the vigil, which was scheduled to end late last night. (CompuServe message from Dave Blackburn, RAD/NCRO).
On December 23rd, a Park Police officer checking a homeless person near the D.C. War Memorial, halfway between the Lincoln Memorial and Washington Monument, found that he was suffering from severe cold. She called for an ambulance, and the victim, 29-year-old B.E., was taken to George Washington Hospital, where he was treated, for hypothermia and frozen limbs. Doctors believe that B.E. may lose both hands and his legs from the knees down. (CompuServe message from RAD/NCRO, 9:30 EST, 12/26).
The park was notified around 9:00 a.m. on the 19th of a small spill - 3,000 gallons of an oil-water mixture - in East Potomac Park which was discharging through a storm water culvert. Further investigation revealed that the spill stemmed from an unauthorized utility repair which had been begun five days earlier. The mixture included five parts per million of PCB. The park was closed to vehicular traffic all day to allow collection of samples by NPS staff and the direction of clean-up efforts by the Coast Guard. The utility company has agreed to pay for the clean-up and the restoration of the construction site. (Telefax from Mel Poole, RAD/NCRO, 12/19).
At 11:10 p.m. on the evening of May 25th, Park Police dispatch received a report of a shooting in East Potomac Park not far from the Jefferson Memorial and Park Police headquarters. Responding officers found C.H.M., 27, a postal worker from Takoma Park, Maryland, suffering from a gunshot wound. Eagle I, the Park Police helicopter, responded along with a city ambulance, but C.H.M. died of his wound. Witnesses at the scene described hearing a gunshot and seeing three males flee from the scene in a red foreign vehicle, possibly a Toyota. The Park Police Criminal Investigations Branch is assisting city homicide detectives in the investigation. [Telefax from U.S. Park Police, 5/26]
Park Police officers James Austin and Larry McNally were working a plainclothes narcotics detail on the afternoon of April 18th when they came upon J.A.P., who was in a parked car preparing to inject himself with heroin. When the officers identified themselves and displayed their badges, J.A.P. fled the area and attempted to run Sgt. McNally over with his car. McNally drew his weapon and fired at the vehicle. The officers pursued, but J.A.P. was able to escape. About an hour later, McNally and Austin spotted J.A.P. walking toward a bus stop. They asked for assistance, and were backed up by Lt. John Mugavin, detective David Rayfield and officer Christine Lopez. As they arrived at the location, J.A.P. was boarding a bus. Mugavin got on the bus, removed J.A.P. and arrested him for assault on a police officer. A subsequent search of the area led to the discovery of J.A.P.'s car, which he abandoned due to two flat tires which were caused by shots from McNally's weapon. [Telefax from Capt. Marvin Ellison, RLES, RAD/NCRO, 4/20]
On the afternoon of January 8th, members of the Park Police narcotics and vice unit attempted to approach a van which was believed to contain suspects wanted for several violations. As they closed on the vehicle, the operator attempted to run down one of the officers. The officer fired his weapon in the direction of the van, and one of the rounds struck the driver. The driver was able to continue, however, and was pursued by several unmarked Park Police cruisers. The van was finally stopped and the driver was apprehended and taken to a local hospital. He was charged with assault on a police officer while armed. A second suspect was later apprehended by other officers from the unit and charged with felony drug violations. [Lt. Robert Kass, USPP, 1/10]
Late on the evening of January 9th, Park Police units and Eagle Two joined local police units in the pursuit of a vehicle which was associated with a shooting which had occurred in Capitol Heights, Maryland. The chase continued through the streets of Southeast Washington, then ended when the three male occupants jumped from the car on Wheeler Road. Two of the occupants were arrested after a foot chase by Park Police and Prince George County officers; the third was subsequently found hiding in a nearby apartment. Two loaded .380 caliber semi-automatic pistols were found in the car. [Lt. John Harasek, USPP, 1/10]
Just after midnight on Saturday, February 6th, an off-duty Park Police officer was inside a club in northwest Washington when a fight broke out. The officer saw one of the combatants draw a pistol from his waistband, then chase the other person around the crowded club. The assailant fired several shots, at least one of which struck the victim, who fell to the floor. The assailant then began to walk through the club with the pistol in his hand. The off-duty officer yelled to the patrons to get down and identified himself. The assailant then turned towards the officer and started to point his pistol in the officer's direction. The officer fired two rounds from his Service issued 9mm pistol, striking the assailant. The officer then recovered the assailant's weapon. The two shooting victims were transported to Medstar, where both were admitted in serious condition. The incident is being jointly investigated by Park Police and city detectives. The officer has been placed in routine administrative leave status. Release of names has not been authorized. [Lt. John Harasek, USPP, 2/9]
A uniformed Park Police officer was on patrol in the vicinity of Union Station just before 7 a.m. on February 13th when he observed a man, later identified as F.J.J., running from the station with a second person in pursuit. The pursuer told the officer that he had been the victim of an armed robbery in the station, and that F.J.J. was his assailant. F.J.J. entered a silver Pontiac which was parked on First Street in an attempt to escape. While apprehending him, the officer fired one round from his service pistol, striking F.J.J. in the face. F.J.J. was taken into custody and transported to a city hospital. Park Police criminal investigators are conducting an investigation. [Lt. Robert Kass, USPP, 2/13]
An estimated 350,000 gallons of number two fuel oil were released from a ruptured 36-inch pipe in Herndon, Virginia, on March 28th. Despite containment efforts, significant quantities of oil flowed overland into Sugarland Run, then into the Potomac River. The Great Falls area of George Washington Memorial Parkway was closed yesterday morning, the Tidal Basin near Jefferson Memorial was boomed off, and additional booms were requested for the Boundary Channel, Theodore Roosevelt Island and Dyke Marsh areas - all administered by the NPS. Impacts of the spill have not yet been ascertained. [Jake Hoogland, EQD/WASO, 3/29]
As of yesterday morning, the oil from Sunday's 350,000-gallon spill had flowed down the Potomac as far south as Alexandria, Virginia. The largest oil slick - about 100 yards long by 300 yards wide - was reported in the vicinity of Theodore Roosevelt Island, which is administered by George Washington Memorial Parkway. A light sheen of oil was also reported inside the Tidal Basin near the Jefferson Memorial; booms have been in place at the basin inlet since early afternoon on the 29th. Staffs from the parkway, C&O Canal and National Capital Parks are taking part in site evaluations along the river's shorelines and are searching for wildlife affected by the spill. Reports have been received of dead fish along the shoreline south of the District of Columbia, but none have been confirmed. A contract wildlife rehabilitator has been brought in; Sharon Taylor, an NPS veterinarian, is on scene and working with them. [John Howard, NCRO, 3/30]
On the evening of April 30th, Park Police officers executed a search warrant in northwest Washington and discovered numerous items that had been reported stolen from vehicles parked at several NPS-administered monuments and memorials in D.C. and from Maryland and Virginia suburbs. Although the investigation is still underway, it appears that the recovery of these items will lead to the closure of approximately 20 auto theft cases. J.G., 41, was arrested on charges of receiving stolen property. [Lt. John Harasek, USPP, 5/4]
Just after 11 a.m. on July 5th, maintenance worker James Allen Hudson, 43, suffered an apparent heart attack while at work at park headquarters on Ohio Drive. He was able to summon help by activating the building's intrusion system, thereby bringing Park Police patrol units to the scene. Hudson was taken to George Washington University hospital, but expired shortly after being admitted. [Sgt. Mike Gallant, USPP, 7/5]
The funeral for James Hudson, 43, a temporary maintenance employee who had worked at the Lincoln Memorial for the past eight years, was held on the morning of July 10th and was followed by a private military burial at Quantico National Cemetery on July 12th. He had served three years in Vietnam and had been awarded the Purple Heart. Hudson left his wife, Marlene, seven children, and three grandchildren. Messages of condolence may be sent to Mrs. Hudson at 3818 Hayes Street, NE, Apartment #6, Washington, DC 20019. A fund has also been established to assist the family. Contributions should be sent to the Federal Employee Education and Assistance Fund, Suite 200, 8441 West Bowles, Littleton, CO 80123. Please specify that the money is to go into the James Hudson Fund. All contributions are tax deductible. [PA, NCR; Policy, WASO; 7/15]
On the evening of November 14th, a Park Police officer observed two men committing an armed robbery in Fort Totten Park. The officer intervened, and one of the robbers fired a shot at him. The officer returned gunfire. No one was injured, and the robbers fled the area. A search of the area proved fruitless. An investigation is underway. [Lt. Richard Munsky, USPP, 11/16]
A fisherman on the Outlet Bridge near Jefferson Memorial got into an argument over fishing gear with two homeless people around 9 a.m. on July 3rd. An altercation soon erupted in which the fisherman was cut in the face and he in turn stabbed and killed one of his assailants. An investigation is underway into the circumstances surrounding the fatality. [Dispatch, US Park Police, 7/3]
Late on the morning of August 6th, an off-duty uniformed Park Police officer was in the Belle View shopping center in Fairfax when a citizen advised him that a man who'd just stolen merchandise from a CVS pharmacy was sitting in a vehicle in the shopping center lot. The officer found a basket of stolen goods inside the vehicle in the suspect's possession. A confrontation ensued, during which the officer shot the suspect once in the chest. He was medevaced by a Park Police helicopter to the county's trauma center, where he remains in critical condition. The officer was not injured. The victim had not yet been identified at the time of the report, nor had a suspect weapon been located. Fairfax County and Park Police officers are investigating. [Capt. Marvin Ellison, RLES, RAD/NCRO, 8/8]
On the afternoon of Sunday, January 22nd, two uniformed Park Police officers approached an occupied, parked vehicle in the park. Upon contact, the officers observed a handgun between the legs of the passenger. He failed to follow the officers' directions, and sustained a shot to the shoulder while they were removing him from the vehicle. The victim was taken to a city hospital, where he is in stable condition. An investigation is underway. [Marvin Ellison, RLES, RAD/NCRO, 1/23]
Barbara Burchett, the assistant site manager for Ford's Theater, died at her home on April 5th from complications from pneumonia. Barbara began working in the NPS as a seasonal at Yellowstone in 1968, and continued as a seasonal at Everglades, Death Valley, Glen Canyon and Yellowstone through 1979, when she became a permanent at Indiana Dunes. From there, she moved on to Carlsbad Caverns and Prince William, and three years ago took the position at Ford's Theater. She was a "hands on" interpreter who had a gift for working with children. As a legacy, she leaves the education booklet she developed at Prince William, and "Stories in Stone", the school program she coordinated for NCP Central. The funeral is this morning at 11 a.m. Barb's friends in the NPS will hold a tree planting ceremony in her honor on April 27th. Contributions for the trees may be sent to Chris Jones, Ford's Theater NHS, c/o NCP-Central, 900 Ohio Drive, SW, Washington, DC 20242. Contributions should be made out to "NPS - Blossoms in Our Future." [Einar Olsen, RCR, RAD/NCRO, 4/10]
A celebration commemorating Public Service Recognition Week was held on the National Mall during the period from May 4th to May 7th. Approximately 15,000 people attended the event, which paid tribute to the work being done by government employees. The event was opened by Vice President Gore, who paid special tribute to the federal employees killed in the Oklahoma City bombing and to the daily efforts of law enforcement officers and rescuers. Federal agencies presented demonstrations, exhibits and displays on their missions. The NPS displays were developed and staffed by NCR employees and addressed ranger law enforcement, USPP operations, resource protection, river rescue, wildland firefighting, interpretation (including living history), and various natural resource management issues. Ranger Mark Kerr of NCP Central coordinated NPS participation. [Einar Olsen, RCR, RAD/NCRO, 5/8]
Officer R.E. Gillette surprised three men with guns and drugs inside Fort Foot while on patrol on the evening of May 4th. Gillette drew his weapon and halted and arrested two of the men while the third escaped into the woods. Found at the scene were three weapons - a Norincko AK-47, a .38 caliber revolver with an obliterated serial number, and a Titan .25 caliber semi-automatic - and a quantity of crack cocaine. The third man was arrested shortly thereafter. One of the men was found to be wanted by county police on homicide charges. Warrants were subsequently secured for related residence searches in Washington and Maryland, where more illegal weapons and contraband were recovered. [Capt. R.A. DeAngelo, East District, USPP, 5/9]
Just after midnight on May 12th, a uniformed Federal Protective Service officer was accosted by an individual while in John Marshall Park. During the encounter, the officer shot the subject once in the chest with his service revolver. The victim is currently in critical condition in a city hospital. Park Police criminal investigators are conducting an investigation into the shooting. [Bill Lynch, NCRO, 5/12]
A severe thunderstorm which struck the Washington metropolitan area on the afternoon of May 18th damaged 39 private vehicles and a dozen government vehicles in the Brentwood property facility yard. Several NPS employees sustained minor injuries when struck by flying debris. [Bill Lynch, Acting RLES, RAD/NCRO, 5/22]
On the afternoon of June 8th, members of a Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms task force, including an undercover Park Police officer, were conducting surveillance of an area in northwest Washington when they witnessed a street shooting. When the officer and other members of the team attempted to intervene and arrest the man, he began shooting at the officers. One round struck the officer in the arm. The suspect fled the scene, but was later apprehended by city officers. The Park Police officer was taken to the Washington Hospital Center, where he was treated for the gunshot wound and released. The victim of the initial shooting was pronounced dead at the scene. Because of the Park Police officer's undercover role, his name is being withheld. [Bill Lynch, Acting RLES, RAD/NCRO, 6/9]
An unidentified man was assaulted by three other men in Meridian Hill Park at 4:40 a.m. on July 1st. One of the three men shot the victim in the arm. He was taken to a city hospital for treatment of his wound, which was not life threatening. Park Police officers are investigating. [Bill Lynch, Acting RLES, RAD/NCFAO]
The annual Fourth of July celebration on the National Mall was attended by over 400,000 visitors. Almost 75,000 gathered to listen to the National Symphony concert on the grounds of the Capitol (the event was supported by NPS rangers and maintenance personnel), and many others crowded the Washington Monument grounds for the "American Roots" concert at Sylvan Theater. Fireworks concluded the day's events. Three visitors were injured by lightning during an afternoon storm; all were taken to area hospitals, treated and released. Another 30 or so people were taken to hospitals for other relatively minor injuries. A 28-year-old woman died from a heart attack on Washington Monument grounds during the fireworks despite efforts to revive her. Park Police officers arrested twelve people for minor offenses. Emergency medical support was coordinated through Mall operations and contracted with a local first aid squad. Maintenance employee reported picking up 40 tons of trash after the park was cleared of visitors. [Anthony Mangelli, PR, National Mall]
The new Korean War Veterans Memorial, located just south of the Reflecting Pool adjacent to the Lincoln Memorial, was officially dedicated on the afternoon of July 27th. Attending were President Clinton, South Korean President Kim Young Sam, and Vice President Gore. Over 50,000 veterans, families and friends attended the ceremonies. The heat index for the day was over 100 degrees, and over 500 people had to be treated for heat-related illnesses. Several people were taken to local hospitals for cardiac problems exacerbated by the heat. EMS inside the security area was provided primarily by NPS EMTs; additional support was provided by a variety of city and contract medical services. Because of the volume of medical cases, event organizers also called in support from a Bethesda Naval Hospital medical response team. [Anthony Mangelli, PR, NAMA]
Park Police officers responded to a stabbing in DuPont Circle on the evening of September 13th. The stabbing followed an argument between two indigents. The victim was taken to a local hospital and is in serious condition. The assailant was arrested at the scene and charged with assault with intent to kill. (Editor's note: Virtually all parks and "green areas" in DC are under concurrent NPS and city jurisdiction. Park Police assume lead responsibility for patrol and response to incidents in those areas). [Bill Lynch, RLES, NCFA]
Park Police officers are investigating the harvesting and theft of several paulownia trees from a secluded area of Dumbarton Oaks park. Investigators believe that several trees with trunk sections 15 to 20 feet long were recently cut and removed. Several old and fallen trees were also cut into handling lengths and prepared for transport. Vehicle tracks and signs of fresh cutting were found at the site. The value of the trees has been placed at about $70,000. The investigation is continuing. [Bill Lynch, LES, NCFAO]
Hazardous materials specialists Ernie Ralston (WASO) and Julia Heritt (NCFA) recently conducted an inspection of areas in NCFA to determine if any hazardous materials had washed ashore during the recent floods. They discovered two sunken vessels and several drums of unknown materials at the Seafarers Yacht Club, a park lessee on the Anacostia River. They also detected a strong chemical odor in several areas on club property. The Coast Guard, a city hazmat unit and a hazmat disposal unit were contacted, and the area was closed. Investigation revealed that the drums, which contained old gasoline, had been illegally dumped. Additional drums were found at the north end of the site. A boom was set in the water near the sea wall to prevent further seepage into the river, soil samples were taken, and the drums were prepared for disposal. The FBI has been notified, and the investigation continues. [Bill Lynch, LES, NCFAO]
On February 11th, the FBI received a phone call from an anonymous source stating that the IRA was going to detonate a bomb in a federal building in Washington at 5:30 p.m. that afternoon. NPS administered monuments, memorials and other sites were closed to the public for several hours while Park Police officers and dogs searched the areas. Nothing was found. Because of that threat and Friday's bombing in London, the Park Police are on a heightened state of alert throughout the Washington metropolitan area. [Bill Lynch, LES, NCFO]
Officer G. William Davis of the Park Police was seriously injured when his motorcycle was struck by a vehicle on Route 270 in Bethesda on Monday, February 19th. The collision sent Davis and his Park Police motorcycle into the Jersey barricade on the highway. Davis was able to radio his position to dispatch; a passing motorist stopped to help and also used the radio to summon additional assistance. Davis was medivaced by Park Police helicopter and taken to a local hospital's intensive care unit. He is currently in serious condition with broken ribs, a broken pelvis and injuries to lumbar vertebrae. Davis has been with the Park Police for 12 years. [Bill Lynch, LES, NCFO]
Three racing shells containing 29 members of the George Washington University women's crew team capsized while training on the Potomac River near West Potomac Park at 8 a.m. on February 24th. High winds flipped the shells, spilling the occupants into frigid waters. All were able to swim to shore. They received treatment for hypothermia from Park Police officers and city firefighters. [Bill Lynch, LES, NCFO]
Just after midnight on March 29th, Park Police officer W.S. Humberson spotted a traffic violation and attempted to stop the vehicle. The driver fled and Humberson pursued. The vehicle turned into a dead-end street; when the driver realized this, he reversed direction and struck Humberson's cruiser in an apparent effort to disable it. The driver then crashed into a parked vehicle, effectively aborting the attempted escape. Humberson apprehended the driver, K.C., and passenger, G.J. A loaded .380 handgun was taken from K.C., and a loaded AK-47 assault weapon was recovered from the area near the front passenger's seat. Both were arrested for weapons violations. [Bill Lynch, LES, NCFDO]
Park Police officer R. Matias apprehended and arrested two adults and a juvenile on the morning of April 2nd for an armed robbery which had just taken place in Fort Totten Park. It's believed that the trio have been responsible for a series of armed robberies and assaults in the area around the park over the past 18 months. The investigation is continuing. [Bill Lynch, LES, NCFDO]
Approximately 25 people participated in a rally in front of the Department of Interior on July 18th, protesting a bill which would transfer two man-made islands in the Anacostia River from the NPS to the District. The city plans to permit a developer to create a $150 million children's educational and entertainment park on the site. Environmentalists are opposed, saying that the plan would adversely affect the habitat for birds and wildlife. Jon Sellers, an organizer for Greenpeace, was arrested by Park Police officers and charged with a CFR violation. The remainder of the group dispersed without incident. [Bill Lynch, LES, NCSSO]
Damage reports are beginning to filter in as flood waters recede and park staffs gain access to their areas: o National Capital Parks - The field area office was evacuated on Friday afternoon due to significant flooding in East Potomac Park. Portions of Independence Avenue were also closed. East Potomac Park, West Potomac Park, and the Jefferson Memorial remain closed. Although other monuments on the Mall are open to the public, access to parking is severely limited due to street closures surrounding the Mall. The Anacostia and River Terrace areas along with Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens are currently closed due to flooding. [Mark Hardgrove, SAJU; Mark Woods, VIIS]
Park Police officers were called to the swan boat concession on the Tidal Basin on the afternoon of August 14th to investigate a report of a disorderly person. As the officers approached the area, the man, who was perched on a railing at the water's edge, shouted to them to not come any closer, then jumped into the water. He swam out into the basin, stopped, then disappeared under the water. Attempts to locate him were unsuccessful. His body was subsequently recovered by divers. The identity of the man, believed to be in his 30s, is being withheld until relatives are notified. The investigation into the death continues. [Bill Lynch, LES, NCSSO]
The park hosted several significant special events over the Columbus Day weekend. Sponsors estimated that more than a million people participated in these events, which included the following: o AIDS memorial quilt - The mile-long quilt, comprised of 37,000 panels representing 12 percent of all U.S. AIDS deaths, was displayed on the Mall on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. o Candlelight march - The Whitman-Walker Clinic sponsored a candlelight AIDS march from the Capitol to the Lincoln Memorial on Saturday evening. A rally and program followed on the west side of the Reflecting Pool which featured Rev. Jesse Jackson, Elizabeth Taylor, Kathy Matea, Judith Light and Betty Buckley. o Latino march - On Saturday, Coordinadora '96 sponsored a march from Meridian Hill Park to the Ellipse and a rally on the latter to promote human and constitutional rights of Latino immigrants and their community. o "Taste of Washington" festival - A D.C. committee established to promote the city sponsored a festival of food and music throughout the weekend. o Foot race - The Military District of Washington sponsored a 10 kilometer race on Sunday which began and ended at the Pentagon. A substantial portion of the route was through the Mall area. o ACT-UP demonstration - On Saturday, the AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power (ACT-UP) marched to the White House sidewalk to demand leadership on AIDS issues from the administration. Demonstrators tossed funeral urns that they said contained ashes over the White House fence. Horse- mounted Park Police officers dispersed the crowd of about 300 demonstrators. No arrests were made. Many other Columbus Day events, athletic competitions and religious celebrations also took place in the park. [Bill Lynch, LES, NCSO]
A joint NPS and Coast Guard investigation of last January's hazmat release into the Anacostia River has resulted in a $10,000 civil fine against the Seafarers Yacht Club for violation of the Oil Pollution Act and the Resource Conservation Recovery Act. The club was cited in January for releasing hazardous materials into the river and for improper storage of hazardous materials on site. The club operates in the park under a special use permit. [Bill Lynch, LES, NCSO]
Ten animal rights activists were arrested on Monday, November 18th, after staging a protest in the main hall of the Smithsonian's Air and Space Museum. Shortly after noon, members of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) chained themselves to one another to protest NASA's use of animals in space research. The protest disrupted activities at the museum for nearly two hours. The Park Police were acting under the provisions of an MOU with the Smithsonian Institute. [Bill Lynch, LES, NCSSO]
A man in his 40s with a gunshot wound to his head was discovered in the park just after 6 a.m. on December 10th. He was taken to a local hospital, where he later died. Neither his identity nor the motive for the slaying have yet been determined. Park Police and city officers are investigating. [Bill Lynch, LES, NCFA]
On the morning of December 18th, the Washington Post received an anonymous call in which the caller said that a bomb was going to explode in the historic area on Pennsylvania Avenue at 10 a.m. Park Police officers searched the area but found nothing. The scheduled time of detonation passed without incident. Earlier that morning, NPS maintenance employees were removing the abandoned belongings of several homeless people in that area when passersby challenged their actions; the phone call was traced to a nearby public telephone. Later that afternoon, a suspicious package was found near a tree in the Ellipse. The area was evacuated and emergency ordnance disposal teams were summoned. They determined that the package contained clothing and other personal items. [Bill Lynch, LES, NCFA]
During the early hours of Monday, January 6th, Park Police officers encountered a man - Alphonze General, 36, of no fixed address - on Constitution Avenue who matched the description of an individual wanted by the Secret Service for threats to the President. General had a small suitcase in his possession which contained batteries, wiring and a package wrapped in plastic and secured with tape. Because of recent events involving mail bombs in Washington, the area was evacuated and Constitution Avenue was closed from 17th Street to 19th Street and emergency ordnance personnel were summoned to examine the suitcase. They detonated it and found that it contained personal items. General was interviewed by the Secret Service and released. The avenue was reopened to traffic at 7:10 a.m. [Bill Lynch, LES, NCFA]
On Saturday, March 29th, a sudden and violent thunderstorm accompanied by strong winds swept through the Washington area, imperiling boaters in the Tidal Basin who were caught in rough waters. Several boaters attempted to take refuge under a bridge when their boats began to capsize in the strong winds. A child was tossed from one boat into the water and was rescued by a citizen who jumped into the water and pulled the child to the shore. Several Park Police officers commandeered the concessioner's boat and towed five boaters to safety. Their occupants were treated for exposure. [Bill Lynch, LES, NCR, 3/31]
A 48-year-old woman jogging near the Tidal Basin on the afternoon of Friday, April 4th, was struck and injured by a vehicle fleeing police and by a motorcycle being driven by a pursuing Park Police officer. The incident began around 12:30 p.m. when a Park Police officer noticed that a driver sitting in his vehicle in traffic had a handgun on his lap. He refused to pull over and sped away, with the officer in pursuit. The vehicle struck a parked vehicle, then hit the jogger. A second USPP motorcycle officer who'd joined the pursuit swerved to avoid hitting the woman and laid his motorcycle down; the rear wheel, however, also struck the woman. She sustained a broken left elbow and closed head injury and is in stable condition at a local hospital. The vehicle being pursued fled the area. [Bill Lynch, RLES, NCR, 4/7]
On April 17th, a gasoline leak of undetermined extent at an underground storage tank used by Landmark Services in East Potomac Park forced the evacuation of the maintenance facility and the closure of several nearby roadways. Testing to determine the extent of the leak was subsequently conducted. The underground tank appears to be sound, indicating that the leak may have been in the fuel line leading from the tank to the above-ground fuel pumps. Pumping was discontinued and gasoline was drained from the lines, which appears to have checked the spill. [Bill Lynch, RLES, NCR, 4/21]
On May 12th, the annual candlelight vigil was held at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington. National Park Service protection rangers and U.S. Park Police officers assisted organizers with management of the event, which was attended by approximately 7,000 people, including law enforcement officers from across the country. The name of seasonal park ranger Michael Beaulieu of Bryce Canyon NP, who was killed in a motor vehicle accident while on patrol in the park last summer, was added to the names of officers who have died in the line of duty that are inscribed on the memorial's wall. Among those names are those of 22 NPS rangers and USPP officers. [Einar Olsen, RCR, NCRO, 5/13]
A woman attempted to abduct a nine-year-old boy while he and his classmates were on a field trip to the National Museum of Natural History on the morning of May 29th. The woman grabbed the boy and told him to come with her, but he was able to pull his hand free and run to a chaperon. The woman, who was in her twenties, disappeared into the crowd. The boy was not hurt and was able to help USPP investigators prepare a composite picture of the woman. The investigation continues. [Bill Lynch, RLES, NCR, 5/30]
Rangers from the National Mall responded to a severe, two-car motor vehicle accident near the ranger station on Independence Avenue on the morning of July 5th. Ranger Jim Nichols was first on scene and was sound joined by rangers Taya Schram and Brad Baker and maintenance worker Jim Berge. They stopped traffic and called for park EMTs and Park Police officers. USPP officers arrived within four minutes and took over traffic control. Nichols attended to the four victims; ranger/EMTs Matt Klozik and T. Allyn Pharo soon arrived and assisted him. Two of the victims had possible severe spinal injuries and the other two had closed head injuries. The rangers worked to stabilize the victims for 20 to 30 minutes. They were then transported to hospitals by city ambulances. [Gerry Gaumer, Assistant Site Manager, NAMA, 7/8]
On Thursday, August 28th, Park Police officer David Hurley arrested D.D. of Washington, DC, minutes after D.D. had robbed a First Union Bank located a few blocks from the National Mall. Hurley, who was in plainclothes, had received a lookout notice and saw a man matching the broadcast description standing on the platform of the Mall subway station. Hurley was unable to call out on radio, as he was below ground, so elected to identify himself and arrest D.D. before an approaching train could arrive. He did so, but D.D. broke free and got into the train. Following a brief struggle, Hurley was able to apprehend D.D. and remove him from the train before it left the station. D.D. was identified by bank employees and $1,200 in cash was recovered from his person. It was later learned that D.D. had removed his shirt after fleeing from the bank and had stopped to purchase a t-shirt from one of the vendors on the Mall in an attempt to conceal his identity. [Bill Lynch, RLES, NCRO, 8/28]
On Saturday, October 4th, Promise Keepers held an event entitled "Stand in the Gap" on the National Mall. The event, which began at noon and concluded at 6 p.m., was attended by about 500,000 people. Over a thousand people received medical treatment during the day, the majority for heat-related illnesses. Senator Strom Thurmond experienced heat exhaustion, and was treated on scene and transported to Walter Reed Hospital. About 220 missing children were reported; by the end of the day, all had been reunited with their parents or guardians. Four arrests for vending were made. The elevator in the Washington Monument malfunctioned during the afternoon, temporarily trapping about 25 visitors in the shaft for 30 minutes. Rangers and USPP officers were eventually able to wedge the door open, and the occupants walked down to the ground level. Due to prior planning and interagency cooperation with the city government and other law enforcement agencies, no significant incidents were reported. [Bill Lynch, RLES, NCRO, 10/6]
On September 18th, Park Police officers arrested nine people and charged them with violating the terms of their demonstration permit by selling T-shirts on the National Mall. The arrests stemmed from a recent U.S. Court of Appeals ruling which upheld the constitutionality of the Service's regulation which bans the sale of T-shirts during the conduct of special events or demonstrations. The nine were issued CFR violation notices and released. [Bill Lynch, RLES, NCRO, 9/19]
A 76-year-old woman jumped into the Tidal Basin near the Jefferson Memorial on October 6th and drowned. She was identified as L.M. of Cheverly, Maryland. Witnesses told Park Police investigators that L.M. entered the Tidal Basin after discarding her purse and other personal items in the water. She was pulled from the basin and transported to a local hospital, where she was pronounced dead. [Bill Lynch, RLES, NCRO, 10/7]
US Park Police officers arrested 19 members of the group "Democracy First" on the White House sidewalk on October 28th. The group, which was demonstrating for "human rights for D.C.," included former Washington mayor Sharon Pratt Kelly. Those arrested were charged with CFR violations for demonstrating without a permit and for crossing a police line. All were released following processing. [Bill Lynch, RLES, NCRO, 10/30]
Park Police officers discovered the body of a woman believed to be in her 50s floating in the Tidal Basin near the Jefferson memorial on Monday, January 12th. The victim's identity and cause of death have not yet been determined. The investigation continues. [Bill Lynch, RLES, NCRO, 1/13]
USPP investigators assigned to the narcotics and vice unit, following up on information developed from a drug case in a park in the district, executed a search warrant in the city on January 19th. Upon entry, they found the residents attempting to dispose of suspected crack cocaine in a garbage disposal unit. After interrupting the act, the investigators dismantled the unit and recovered 95 grams of crack conservatively valued at $9,500. The subsequent search led to the recovery of $6,756 in cash and a loaded 9mm handgun. Four people were arrested, including a known violent offender who was wanted on other charges. A pit bull present on the premises was taken to an animal control facility. Neighborhood residents expressed thanks to investigators for their successful efforts. [Dale Dickerhoof, CIB, USPP, 1/30]
President and Mrs. Clinton toured the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial with Tony Blair, the prime minister of Great Britain, and his wife, Cherie Blair, on Friday, February 6th. A delegation of diplomats and White House staff also accompanied the party. Director Bob Stanton and superintendent Arnold Goldstein led the tour. Ranger staff from the National Mall gave additional tours and conducted special activities for 125 third grade students who attended the event and met the presidential party. The dignitaries took time to speak with the children and the park staff covering the event. [Robert Fudge, NACC, 2/9]
On the evening of February 5th, a man stopped his car on Memorial Bridge, scaled the railing and leaped into the Potomac River. Park Police officers searched the river and shoreline by helicopter and boat but have not yet found any sign of him. A suicide note was found in the vehicle. The investigation is continuing. [Bill Lynch, RLES, NCRO, 2/6]
On September 25, 1997, a jewelry salesman was cut off in rush hour traffic near the Jefferson Memorial and robbed at gun point of over $200,000 worth of pearl and gemstone jewelry. An intensive investigation was conducted by Park Police detectives which resulted on February 18th in the issuance of an arrest warrant for M.M., a Columbian national residing in Brooklyn, New York. USPP officers from Washington and New York arrested M.M. nine days later at JFK Airport as he disembarked from a flight from Los Angeles. He was subsequently extradited to Washington, where he will appear in court. Other suspects in the case are still being sought. It's believed that M.M. and the remaining suspects are members of a group that has committed at least one other similar robbery in New Jersey. The investigation continues. [Bill Lynch, RLES, NCRO, 3/20]
The crew of Eagle 1, the U.S. Park Police helicopter, assisted the city fire department on an attempted suicide on June 7th. A 26-year-old male fell about 100 feet from Chain Bridge. Eagle 1 orbited above the scene until police and fire personnel could locate, stabilize and transport the patient to a hoisting area. The helicopter's crew then lifted the victim on board and flew him to a nearby hospital, where he is listed in critical condition. [Henry Berberich, RLES, NCRO, 6/8]
On June 15th, USPP officers arrested 28 people from the "Free Tibet" group for demonstrating without a permit on the White House sidewalk. [Henry Berberich, RLES, NCRO, 6/16]
On June 1st, Browning-Ferris, Inc. (BFI), a major national waste management firm, and G.S., a former plant manager for BFI, pled guilty to five counts of violating the pre-treatment provisions of the federal Clean Water Act by discharging medical waste into the district's sewer system. The waste was released from a BFI medical waste facility adjacent to park land. The investigation was led by FBI and EPA agents; NPS regional office rangers and lands specialists assisted with various lands issues. BFI was storing trailers of medical waste on land which the NPS had transferred to the DC government for recreational purposes. BFI will pay a criminal fine of $1.5 million, donate $100,000 to the Anacostia Watershed Society for Anacostia River conservation projects, and close the medical waste facility. BFI has previously been convicted of similar violations in Philadelphia. [Einar Olsen, RCR, NCRO, 6/26]
Although many of the reports that appear today occurred over the Fourth of July weekend, the following were specifically related to the holiday: o Washington Area Parks (DC/VA) - Several hundred thousand people visited the National Mall, adjacent President's Park, and the George Washington Memorial Parkway on the Fourth of July. Events included the annual Folklife Festival, a concert by the National Symphony Orchestra, and a 20-minute fireworks display. Traffic was very heavy. Increased alcohol enforcement efforts resulted in the seizure of 2,400 cans of beer. USPP officers made 33 arrests; of these, 16 were for disorderly conduct or alcohol, seven were for drugs, three were for assault, and the balance were for a variety of other offenses. Notes on other significant Fourth of July activities would be appreciated. [Henry Berberich, RLES, NCRO, 7/6; Scott Pfeninger, CR, STLI, 7/6; Mike Pflaum, CR, MORU, 7/6; Phil Sheridan, PIO, INDE, 7/7; Michael Shaver, SAHI, 7/4]
On the afternoon of July 8th, Park Police officers were notified that a woman had jumped from Key Bridge and fallen over 100 feet into the Potomac River. The Park Police helicopter and ground units responded and found the teenaged girl in the Potomac River near the support closest to the Virginia side of the river. She appeared to be going under. Officers Franz Ferstl and William Doerrler entered the water and made their way to the girl, who was about 100 yards away. Her face was only slightly above the water when they reached her. They supported her until a boat from the district's harbor unit could reach the scene. She was taken to a hospital for treatment. Neither officer was injured. [Henry Berberich, RLES, NCRO, 7/10]
Members of the Park Police narcotics and vice unit approached a man in southeast Washington for a drug violation on July 28th. The man discarded several baggies of suspected crack cocaine, fled into an apartment, and refused to let officers enter. While securing the apartment, officers saw two loaded pistols being thrown from a window. Additional USPP and city units were summoned, including Park Police SWAT and negotiation teams. The occupants of the apartment surrendered after a short period of time. Officers arrested 28-year-old J.R. and charged him with several firearms violations and with possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine. The area in which J.R. was contacted is a known source area for drugs supplied to the A.M., which are on park land. [Henry Berberich, RLES, NCSO, 7/29]
Park Police sergeant Peter Barrow was on patrol near Dupont Circle at 3:45 a.m. on September 7th when he was flagged down by a citizen who reported a rape in progress in a nearby alley. Barrow found E.H. standing over his female victim. E.H. turned and fled, but Barrow was able to catch him. A violent struggle ensued in which E.H. told Barrow that he was going to kill him. Barrow was able to strike E.H. with his flashlight during the struggle. E.H. broke free; Barrow pursued and caught him in another alley. E.H. again became combative, so Barrow sprayed him with pepper spray. He was taken into custody after the pepper spray took effect. The city's sex crimes unit is investigating. [Henry Berberich, RLES, NCSO, 9/10]
On Saturday, October 17th, two women, ages 23 and 32, were beaten by an unknown male in Fort Totten Park. One of the two woman was also sexually assaulted. Park Police officers and investigators were summoned to the area around 1 a.m. Both women required medical treatment. Composite drawings of the suspect have been developed and released to the public. An intensive investigation is underway. [Sgt. Dave Mulholland, USPP, NCR, 10/23]
On November 1st, Park Police officers investigated a sexual assault which occurred along Ohio Drive in East Potomac Park. The victim, a 17-year-old girl, had been driven to the park, then choked and sexually assaulted. She knew her assailant, and was able to provide his nickname and a partial description of his vehicle. Officers found the vehicle in the city and picked up a suspect. The woman positively identified the man, 25-year-old S.W., who was then arrested. [Henry Berberich, RLES, NCSO, 11/2]
A four-month-long investigation by Police detective Udon Cheek into multiple counts of fraud by two employees from Tourmobile, the sightseeing service operated out of East Potomac Park, has lead to charges against the two men. J.H. of Temple Hills, Maryland, has been charged with two counts of misdemeanor theft; co-worker W.L. of Riverdale, Maryland, has been charged with 18 misdemeanor counts of theft. The case involved the theft of approximately $3,000. [Henry Berberich, RLES, NCSO, 12/11]
Washington resident C.K. was walking through the north end of the park around 9:40 p.m. on December 28th when he was approached by a man who said he was armed and demanded money. He took some personal belongings from C.K.. C.K. then fled; although his assailant caught up with him and grabbed his jacket, C.K. was able to slip out of it and scream for help. His assailant ran off. This area of the park is known for armed robberies after dark. On December 29th, Park Police detectives investigating this case stopped and arrested a man armed with a .38 caliber revolver. It was subsequently determined, however, that he had not been involved in the robbery. [Henry Berberich, RLES, NCSO, 1/8]
On January 12th, Park Police motor lieutenant Robert Kass stopped a vehicle for a traffic violation on Constitution Avenue. The operator was unable to produce a valid license and was placed under arrest. The subsequent search of the operator, his passenger and the vehicle yielded a total of 129 grams of crack cocaine with a street value of $12,900, a stolen, loaded, laser- sighted 9mm handgun, and a total of $1,888 in cash. Both were charged with possession with intent to distribute cocaine and multiple firearms violations. [Henry Berberich, RLES, NCSO, 1/13]
The Park Police helicopter crew on Eagle Two rescued a man from a rock spire surrounded by whitewater on the Potomac River on April 9th. The man had been involved in a boating accident north of Chain Bridge and was hypothermic from immersion in the river's cold waters. Attempts to throw lines to him had been unsuccessful, as had efforts by police to reach him by boat. Eagle Two's crew employed a Billy Pugh net to retrieve the victim. [Valerie Fernandes, RLES, NCSO, 4/12]
Park Police officers responded to recent citizen complaints of drug activity in Dupont Circle Park with three operations this spring which targeted these drug traffickers: o On March 17th, nine people were arrested for violations of D.C. drug laws, including a 15-year-old girl who was purchasing heroin. Quantities of crack cocaine and heroin were seized. o On April 1st, a similar operation led to ten arrests for drug violations. Seizures included crack cocaine and a 1993 Ford Bronco driven by a drug purchaser. o On April 9th, nine more people were arrested for drug violations and a quantity of marijuana was confiscated. The Park Police have since received a good deal of positive feedback from residents in that area. Several recently testified in superior court at a sentencing hearing for a convicted drug dealer who was arrested in the park last September. [Rob MacLean, USPP, 4/19]
When the head of state from Moldova's plane lifted off from Dulles International Airport just before 6 p.m. on Tuesday, April 27th, the Park Police's involvement in the NATO 50th summit officially ended. This event, which was the largest gathering of heads of state or heads of government ever in the United States (and possibly the world), concluded without any significant incidents occurring. The three-day event required months of planning and several hundred meetings between the Secret Service, FBI, Park Police, State Department, Metropolitan Police, National Park Service and many other agencies. The Park Police were fully committed. Among other things, this commitment included placing normal street operations on twelve-hour shifts and detailing 31 officers to D.C. from the New York field office. Approximately 320 officers were assigned to the events each day. These officers participated in over 2,000 individual escorts of the 48 people designated for special protection. Officers also provided security in park areas throughout the city. This included the closure of the Federal Triangle area, the White House sidewalk and the majority of Lafayette Park for three full days. Several significant demonstrations were handled in Lafayette Park and on the Ellipse, the grounds of the Washington Monument, and the Mall - all without incident. The only NATO-related arrest occurred on Friday when a long-time demonstrator in Lafayette Park refused to leave the secure area and was subsequently arrested. Extensive planning prior to the event and the strong law enforcement presence throughout the period likely prevented any problems from occurring. [Robert Maclean, USPP, 4/29]
Maryland state police asked the Park Police for assistance in locating a downed aircraft on the morning of June 2nd. The USPP helicopter Eagle responded to the area, a densely wooded location about a half mile from the runway at Potomac Airfield in Clinton. Eagle crew members spotted part of the downed aircraft's wing suspended at the top of a tree, landed nearby in a dangerously small clearing, and made their way through dense woods to the aircraft. They provided first aid to the pilot, who was conscious, until fire department personnel arrived on scene. The pilot was then extricated from his aircraft and flown to Prince Georges General Hospital in Eagle. [Sgt. Robert McLean, USPP, 6/3]
Park Police officers arrested 26 people in front of the White House on June 3rd for demonstrating without a permit. Those arrested were members of Pax Christi USA of Erie, Pennsylvania, and were among about 200 people from that group who had a permit to demonstrate on the White House sidewalk. The group was protesting NATO bombing of Kosovo/Serbia. The permit was revoked and members of the group were arrested after they blocked the northwest gate to the White House. [Sgt. Robert McLean, USPP, NCR, 6/8]
On July 1st, lieutenant Robert Kass, commander of the USPP motorcycle unit, attempted to stop a vehicle for a traffic violation near the Washington Monument. The operator refused to stop and a chase ensued. During the pursuit, the driver threw numerous bags of suspected narcotics out of the vehicle. As the pursuit continued, the operator struck Kass and his motorcycle and other USPP patrol cars with his vehicle. None of the officers was seriously injured. The driver was apprehended after he lost control of the vehicle on a median strip. He was charged with assault and numerous traffic violations. [Sgt. Robert MacLean, USPP, NCR, 7/2]
A USPP canine unit observed a suspected drug transaction in Southeast DC on June 25th. The two suspects were detained and subsequently arrested for drug violations. One of the men had a large sum of U.S. currency in his possession. The money was stained with red dye, commonly employed by banks to mark money after it's stolen. FBI agents charged him with bank robbery. The robbery had occurred the day before, after which the thief had fled into the Farragut North Metro station. While in the Metro station, chemical fumes emitted by the dye pack temporarily impaired several pedestrians in the area, but none was seriously injured. [Sgt. Robert MacLean, USPP, NCR, 6/28]
On July 23rd, members of a group called the Interfaith Prisoners of Conscience Project demonstrated in Lafayette Park and on the north sidewalk of the White House. The demonstration was originally scheduled to be a four- day event attracting about 3,000 participants, but the group modified this plan to include a one-day event and civil disobedience involving 25 to 50 arrests. The group protested against the continued incarceration of numerous Puerto Ricans by the United States government. Seventeen members of the group who failed to comply with federal demonstration requirements were arrested by Park Police officers. [Sgt. Robert MacLean, USPP, NCR, 7/26]
On August 6th, the "StoneWalkers" group, whose members manually pushed a 2,000-pound memorial from Sherborn, Massachusetts, to Washington, D.C., arrived in the city. This memorial, which is gravestone-shaped, honors unknown civilians killed in wars. The group had planned to donate this memorial to Arlington National Cemetery for display. Without Congressional legislation, however, the cemetery could not accept the memorial. In protest, the group abandoned the memorial in the middle of Arlington Memorial Bridge. The outbound portion of Memorial Bridge was closed for approximately 20 minutes while Park Police officers arranged for the removal of the memorial. The memorial was transported to a secure location for safekeeping. [Sgt. R. MacLean, USPP, NCR, 8/10]
On August 19th, Park Police received a look-out notice from Alexandria police regarding an armed robbery that had occurred about five minutes previously. Minutes later, USPP officers saw and stopped the vehicle in downtown Washington. The operator matched the description of the suspect and was arrested. Possible evidence of the crime was found in his vehicle. He was turned over to the Alexandria Police Department for prosecution. [Sgt. R. MacLean, USPP, NCR, 8/23]
USPP sergeant Mike Wallace stopped a vehicle for a traffic violation on August 17th. The stop led to the recovery of a large quantity of counterfeit U.S. currency. Both the vehicle and the currency were seized as evidence. Secret Service investigators have interviewed the driver. [Sgt. R. MacLean, USPP, NCR, 8/23]
On September 11th, USPP officers were notified by a citizen that a young man was having trouble swimming in the Washington Channel near Case Bridge. Although the officers were only a few hundred feet away, the boy had gone under by the time they got to he shore. Two officers and a citizen entered the water and searched for the victim, but without luck. The body was found later that evening. [Sgt. R. MacLean, USPP, NCR, 9/29]
Park Police officer John Hunter approached a man sleeping on a park bench in an NPS-managed area on Pennsylvania Avenue on October 8th. The man lied to Hunter about his identity; when confronted with the truth, he became extremely violent and combative, grabbing Hunter's badge and shirt and ripping them off. Hunter employed pepper spray in an effort to subdue him. The man fled, but was stopped by Hunter and another USPP officer after a short pursuit. The man again struck Hunter before finally being taken into custody. Hunter sustained lacerations to his nose and lip and was treated at the scene by city EMS personnel. The assailant was charged with assault on a police officer. [Sgt. R. MacLean, USPP, NCR, 10/18]
Park Police officers checked out a report of marijuana plants growing in the Glover Archibald Park early on the morning of October 21st. Members of the Rock Creek Station tactical crime unit located plants valued at about $9,000 in a clearing about 20 yards into a wooded area of the park and removed them. [Sgt. R. MacLean, USPP, NCR, 10/26]
Three reports have been received on events associated with last weeks celebration of the millennium: o National Mall (DC) - The Park Police canceled all leave and days off and had the entire Washington area force on duty for the event; they were supported by a contingent of officers and supervisors from the New York field office. There was a much larger crowd than anticipated, but the atmosphere throughout the day was festive and peaceful. There were no major incidents. Only two arrests were made for public drunkenness, and a small number of visitors were treated for injuries. Planning and preparation for the event required numerous hours spent in meetings and coordination among principals in the NPS, the White House, the event organization, other law enforcement agencies, and the media. Parks with similar millennial events should send along short summaries for inclusion in future editions of the Morning Report. [Sgt. R. MacLean, USPP, NCR, 1/4; Dennis Carruth, CAVO, 1/3; Clark Moore, CR, MALU, 1/3]
The winter storm that swung through the South, then strengthened and surprised much of the East Coast yesterday, affected offices and parks throughout the area: o Washington Office - A foot or more of snow fell on the D.C. metropolitan area yesterday, and all federal offices closed for the day. Short summaries from other parks affected by this storm would be appreciated and will appear tomorrow. [Jim Carson, CR, JELA, 1/25; CRO, LIRI, 1/25; Steve Ware, CVS, GUCO, 1/25; Dave Barna, WASO, 1/25; Cindy MacLeod, Superintendent, RICH/MAWA, 1/25; Jim Burnett, CR, COLO, 1/25]
An abandoned vessel docked at James Creek marina sank on Friday, January 28th, releasing oil and gasoline into the Anacostia River. USPP investigator John Crichfield and Coast Guard personnel determined the identity of the vessel's owner and found that it had been assembled from other salvaged boats. The owner was contacted and ordered to raise the vessel by Monday. Investigation revealed improper registration and mistitling of the craft. Estimates of pollutant release are incomplete due to the thickness of ice on the river. Efforts were undertaken to contain the released oil and gasoline. [Sgt. R. MacLean, USPP, NCR, 1/31]
Park Police officer Thomas Franke passed away on February 17th following a long battle with cancer. He is survived by his wife, M., and two daughters, K. and M. Tom joined the Park Police in 1978 and was first assigned to the visitor center in Washington. He was later assigned to Rock Creek Station, then to community relations in the Special Forces Branch. Among other accomplishments, Tom established the USPP Explorers Post and founded the Law Enforcement Olympics, which later evolved into the Law Enforcement and Firefighter Games. He was recently recognized as man of the year for 1999 by the Police Emerald Society. He will be fondly remembered and sorely missed by his family, friends and coworkers. The viewing will be from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday and from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday at the Mullin and Thompson Funeral Home, 1621 Jefferson Davis Highway (Route 1), Fredericksburg, Virginia. A Catholic mass will be held at Saint Mary's Church in Fredericksburg on Monday at 10 a.m. [Sgt. R. MacLean, USPP, NCR, 2/17]
Metro Transit police reported finding an unconscious man with several gunshot wounds in Fort Totten Park around 5:30 a.m. on February 16th. Park Police officers investigated. The man was taken to Washington Hospital Center, where he later died. The investigation continues. [Sgt. R. MacLean, USPP, NCR, 2/17]
On March 8th, members of the Park Police crime patrol unit were monitoring vending violations on the National Mall - an area known for the sale and distribution of imitation Oakley sunglasses to park visitors. During the operation, two people were seen exchanging U.S. currency for several pairs of sunglasses. The person who sold the sunglasses then left the area and entered a nearby vehicle. Officers stopped it and arrested the driver. A search of the vehicle and driver led to the discovery of $2,146 in currency and 519 pairs of imitation Oakley sunglasses. The driver was arrested and charged with illegal vending and trademark counterfeiting. The money and imitation sunglasses were seized as evidence. [Sgt. R. MacLean, USPP, NCR, 3/22]
Park Police motorcycle officer Charles Dennings stopped a vehicle for a narcotics violation near the ramp to USPP headquarters on March 18th. Officer Robert Stoss joined him at the scene. When Stoss attempted to search the rear seat passenger, he became extremely combative and struggled with Stoss, Dennings and a third officer. They gained control of him and found a fully-loaded handgun in his pants pocket. A quantity of suspected marijuana was seized from another occupant of the vehicle. The man with the gun was charged with a felony firearms violation. [Sgt. R. MacLean, USPP, NCR, 4/11]
A Park Police officer was shot in the face early on Thursday and was in critical condition at the Washington Hospital Center at the time of the report on Friday morning. The officer made a routine traffic stop and saw drug paraphernalia in the car. When the driver refused to get out of the car, the officer leaned in to grab the car keys and the car took off. The driver stopped after dragging the officer for about 75 feet and the officer fell away from the car uninjured. The officer then joined his partner in their cruiser and they pursued the car to the intersection of Rock Creek Ford Road and Military Road, at which point the driver and passenger stopped and fled on foot. The officer who had been dragged apprehended the driver, who then pulled out a handgun and shot him. When other officers were unable to get the gun away from the man, a police dog was used to subdue him. The gunman was taken to a hospital for treatment of injuries. The passenger escaped. [Sgt. Robert MacLean, USPP, cited in the Washington Post, 4/14]
NPS operations have been substantially affected by the demonstrations against IMF and the World Bank in Washington. The Park Police have made a major force commitment to the demonstrations; reports will follow later this week. A Southeast Region SET team was brought in on Friday to protect facilities at the Department of Interior, located just a few blocks from the World Bank and IMF buildings. Interior employees have been granted liberal leave for Monday, but employees responsible for essential activities will be expected to report to work. [Various sources, 4/15]
On April 18th, D.A., 31, appeared in federal district court in Washington on a charge of assaulting Park Police officer Jonathan Daniels on April 13th. D.A. was ordered jailed without bond and is due back in court for a detention hearing today. Daniels, who was shot in the face, remains hospitalized for further tests, but will likely be discharged in the near future. Well wishes, gifts or other expressions of support may be sent to the Office of the Chief, United States Park Police, 1100 Ohio Drive, SW, Washington, DC 20024 or transmitted via cc:Mail to Robert MacLean at NP-USPP. [Sgt. R. MacLean, USPP, NCR, 4/19]
During the period from April 9th to the 17th, large groups of protestors were in Washington to demonstrate against the IMF and World Bank. The Park Police augmented its Washington area force with several regional law enforcement specialists and personnel from New York and San Francisco. Several large demonstrations occurred in the Ellipse, Lafayette Park, and Dupont Circle Park - all near the IMF and World Bank buildings and administered by the NPS. Park Police officers made several arrests for demonstrations in these parks and also assisted city police with a number of violent confrontations with protestors near the target buildings. Officers received additional crowd control training prior to the event; these skills were utilized on numerous occasions and proved very effective. [Sgt. R. MacLean, USPP, NCR, 4/19]
Officer Jonathan Daniels was discharged from the hospital on April 24th after undergoing surgery on the left side of his face. Daniels is now recuperating at home with his family and is expected to eventually return to full duty. [Sgt. R. MacLean, USPP, NCR, 4/26]
On May 10th, D.E.A. was indicted on numerous charges in the April 13th shooting of Park Police officer Jon Daniels - assaulting a federal officer with a dangerous weapon (18 USC 111 (a) and (b)), attempted murder of a federal officer (18 USC 114), discharging a firearm during a crime of violence (18 USC 924(c)(1)(A)(iii)), and unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon (19 USC 922(g), 924(a)(2)). D.E.A. is currently being held without bond awaiting trial. Detective sergeant Tim Moser is lead investigator on this case. [Dennis M Maroney, USPP, NCR, 5/16]
Park Police officers investigated a fatal motorcycle accident during the early morning hours of June 24th. The operator was traveling the wrong way on a one-way street at Haines Point. As he approached the entrance, he encountered an on-coming vehicle, veered around it, lost control of the motorcycle, skidded and struck a concrete barrier. Both the male operator and his female passenger sustained serious injuries and were flown by helicopter to a local hospital. The passenger was pronounced dead at Washington Hospital Center; the operator is listed in guarded condition. [Sgt. R. MacLean, USPP, NCR, 6/26]
On July 13th, Park Police motorcycle officer Mike Wilson was contacted by a man whose wife was in the late stages of labor and about to give birth. The baby's head was already visible when Wilson arrived at their vehicle. Wilson and the woman's husband successfully delivered the baby boy before EMS arrived on scene. The family was transported to a local hospital, where the mother and child are reported to be doing fine. [Sgt. R. MacLean, USPP, NCR, 7/27]
Park Police officer Anthony Senecal came upon a car parked on the grass between Ohio Drive and the Potomac River on the morning of June 22nd. Senecal contacted the driver and found that he intended to drive into the river. When he put the vehicle in gear and started toward the water, Senecal placed himself between the car and the river, effectively deterring the driver from going further. The driver then put the car into reverse and left the area. Senecal followed him south on Ohio Drive towards East Potomac Park and stopped him near Park Police headquarters. Sergeant Phil Beck talked with the man, who was eventually transported to D.C. General Hospital for evaluation. [Sgt. R. MacLean, USPP, NCR, 6/26 and 7/27]
On August 13th, Park Police officer Jose Fontanez came upon a man sleeping in a parked, running vehicle in East Potomac Park. Fontanez also saw a suicide note on his lap. The man was unresponsive and had an extremely high pulse rate. He was taken to a local hospital and is now in stable condition. An empty bottle of sleeping pills was recovered from the car. [Sgt. R. MacLean, USPP, NCR, 8/23]
Park Police officer Ernest Patrick was dispatched to a two-car accident on Constitution Avenue near the Washington Monument on August 14th. He arrived on scene in his cruiser just as officer Robert Louden arrived on his mountain bike. Louden saw a man squatting behind a nearby trash can, evidently attempting to conceal himself from Patrick. When he saw Louden approaching, he discarded a box in the trash can and started to walk away. The officers detained him and determined that he was the operator of one of the vehicles involved in the accident. The box contained a fully-loaded .38 caliber revolver; the vehicle was found to be stolen. The driver and his passenger were arrested. [Sgt. R. MacLean, USPP, NCR, 8/23]
On October 7th, several Park Police officers rescued a despondent woman from the Tidal Basin near the Jefferson Memorial. When they arrived at the scene, the officers found the woman floating face up in the water. Officer Greg Knee entered the water and pulled her to the edge of the basin with the assistance of officer Don Huffman. Knee remained in the water with the woman until SWAT officer Eddie Burnett joined him and wrapped a rappel harness around her. DC Harbor Patrol officers helped pull the woman to safety. She was taken to a local hospital, where she is in stable condition. [Sgt. R. MacLean, USPP, NCR, 10/10]
On Monday, October 30th, S.C., who was wanted by Park Police for an armed robbery, turned himself in at USPP headquarters. A warrant had been issued for S.C.'s arrest for an armed robbery that had occurred in Dupont Circle Park in which he cut the victim's face with a razor. Local media coverage and concern by citizens and members of S.C.'s family led him to turn himself in. His photo was also displayed on the Park Police web site. [Sgt. R. MacLean, USPP, NCR, 11/13]
Eagle Two, the Park Police helicopter, was summoned to assist at an industrial accident late on the afternoon of November 11th. A construction worker on a 200-foot cellular phone tower in Loudoun County had fallen and needed to be extricated from a platform on the 155-foot level. The crew of the helicopter - sergeant pilot Keith Bohn, sergeant rescue technician John Marsh, and canine officer James Matarese - hoisted the victim clear of the tower and short-hauled him to a nearby golf course driving range. He was found to be suffering from hypothermia, a possible closed-head injury, and a shoulder injury, and was transported to the Fairfax County Hospital trauma center. [Sgt. R. MacLean, USPP, NCR, 11/29]
A long-term investigation into cocaine and crack cocaine trafficking activities by an organization that operated in Langdon Park and elsewhere in D.C. culminated this month with the unsealing of a 71-count indictment charging 25 people with narcotics trafficking, conspiracy, and firearms violations. Eleven of the defendants were arrested on warrants on December 19th; another six were already in custody by that date. Eighteen search warrants were also executed. If convicted of the charges, all 25 defendants face the possibility of life imprisonment. The joint investigation, spearheaded by the FBI and Park Police and undertaken with the assistance of DC police, was begun in October, 1999. During the investigation, undercover agents and investigators purchased more than a kilogram of crack cocaine from various defendants named in the indictment. The investigation also lead to the seizure of more than nine kilograms of powder cocaine, two kilograms of crack cocaine, three pounds of marijuana, several firearms, and over $200,000 in cash. In announcing these actions, the U.S. attorney praised the efforts of those involved, including USPP investigators William Sepeck, Jr., and Paul Edwards and USPP sergeants Richard White and John Dowd. [Sgt. R. MacLean, USPP, NCR, 12/20]
Park Police personnel began preparations for the 2001 inaugural parade several months in advance of the January 20th event. In anticipation of several thousand protesters, some of whom had intentions of stopping the parade, the Park Police committed a significant number of people and resources to ensure a successful event. This included augmenting its complement in Washington, D.C., with personnel from the New York and San Francisco Field Offices. The Park Police horse mounted patrol unit and the USPP helicopter (Eagle 1) were deployed to numerous incidents in and around the parade route. They renderied medical assistance to several persons, enforced vending regulations, and successfully maintained several demonstration sites. Several horse mounted personnel from the Maryland National Capital Park Police and the Pennsylvania State Police were also utilized and rode with the Park Police unit. Despite several violent outbursts by protest groups, Park Police officers maintained the integrity of the parade route along Pennsylvania Avenue and were instrumental in the overall success of this event. Officers made three arrests during the parade - two for assaulting law enforcement personnel and one for crossing a police line. [Sgt. R. MacLean, USPP, NCR, 1/24]
A vehicle heading southbound on East Basin Drive at the Route 395 ramp adjacent to the Jefferson Memorial at 2:15 a.m. on February 23rd went off the road into the grass median, then struck a utility pole and came to rest on its roof. The operator and sole occupant, a 22-year-old man from Chevy Chase, Maryland, was pronounced dead at the scene. USPP detectives are investigating. [Sgt. R. MacLean, USPP, NCR, 2/26]
Eagle I, the USPP helicopter, assisted in a response to boaters in distress in the Potomac River near Fletcher's Boathouse on the night of April 3rd. The crew spotted a partially submerged boat pinned on a rock in rapid flowing water and employed an infrared unit to determine that there were three people with the boat. City police rescue boats were unable to reach it due to the current. Eagle One therefore hovered over the vessel while sergeant Jeff Hertel was lowered into the water. Hertel swam to the vessel and assisted each of the three people in getting hooked up and hoisted into the helicopter. Hertel was then pulled back aboard. All four were treated for hypothermia and released. [Sgt. R. MacLean, USPP, NCR, 4/3]
On April 17th, two plainclothes investigators from the USPP narcotics and vice unit saw a man attempting to conceal a laser sight for a handgun within his car. The investigators removed him from the vehicle and attempted to retrieve a handgun from his waist. A violent struggle ensued in which both investigators were assaulted. The man was eventually subdued and taken into custody. One investigator suffered a laceration to his face that required several stitches; the other injured his back. Both were flown by USPP helicopter to the MedStar Unit at Washington Hospital Center, where they were treated and released. The man who was arrested was taken to another hospital for treatment of minor injuries sustained during the arrest. He will be charged with assault on a federal office and with weapons violations. [Sgt. R. MacLean, USPP, NCR, 4/19]
USPP detectives are investigating the deaths of two people whose bodies were found at federal agency sites where law enforcement is provided by the Park Police. The body of an 18-year-old Greenbelt, Maryland, woman was found in a remote area of the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center. She had been shot numerous times. And an investigation has been completed into the death of a 51-year old employee of NASA's Goddard Center, whose body was found on facility grounds. The death was from natural causes. [Dennis Moroney, USPP, NCR, 5/7]
Park Police officers were called to the FDR Memorial on May 5th to assist a 69-year-old visitor who complained of chest pains and shortness of breath. Officer Mark Varanelli, a certified paramedic, began treating her. Within minutes, she began experiencing a grand mal seizure. Both pulse and breathing stopped. Varanelli inserted an airway and began helping her breathe. He finally had to resort to an AED defibrillator to restore her pulse and breathing. She was flown to Washington Hospital Center in Eagle 1, the USPP helicopter, where she remains in critical condition. [Sgt. Dennis Maroney, USPP, NCR, 5/7]
On Friday, May 18th, a federal district court judge sentenced D.A., 30, of Mitchellville, Maryland, to 20 years in a federal prison, a term of supervised release and other conditions for an assault on Park Police officers, including the shooting of officer Jonathan Daniels. The incident took place on April 13, 200, when Daniels made a routine traffic stop and saw drug paraphernalia in D.A.'s car. When he refused to get out of the car, Daniels leaned in to grab the car keys and the car took off. D.A. stopped after dragging the officer for about 75 feet and Daniels fell away from the car uninjured. Daniels then joined his partner in their cruiser and they pursued the car to the intersection of Rock Creek Ford Road and Military Road, at which point D.A. and a passenger got out and fled on foot. Daniels apprehended D.A., who then pulled out a handgun and shot him. The bullet that hit Daniels penetrated just to the left of his nose, transected his cheek bone, severed muscle and nerve tissue and shattered against the bone behind his left ear, missing his brain and major blood vessels by only centimeters. As part of his treatment for these injuries, Daniels had to have a nerve removed from the left side of his neck and spliced to mend a nerve that controlled the movement of the left side of his face. Daniels may nonetheless never regain feeling or movement on the left side of his face. Despite this injury, he is preparing to return to full police duty in the near future. D.A. was tried last September; the jury found him guilty on charges of assaulting, resisting or impeding a federal officer with a dangerous weapon (automobile) and unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. In announcing the verdicts, the U.S. attorney commended the work of detective sergeant Timothy Moser, the lead investigator on the case, and the many other members and officials of the USPP and Metro PD who assisted with this prosecution. [Sgt. R. MacLean, USPP, NCR, 5/22]
Park Police detectives arrested 41-year-old R.B. on two outstanding D.C. Superior Court warrants on the night of June 1st. R.B. was being sought by Park Police for destruction of government property on Columbia Island last August. He was charged with vandalizing park benches and restrooms with swastikas and other hate-related graffiti. R.B. was recently released from federal prison after serving six months for similar violations along George Washington Memorial Parkway in Virginia. The detectives who had been looking for R.B. found him walking along the parkway bike path near the Arlington Memorial Bridge. [Sgt. R. MacLean, USPP, NCR, 6/4]
Several parks have sent along reports of holiday and holiday-related special events and activities: o National Mall (DC) - The Independence Day celebration on the mall included a spectacular fireworks display and parade. Eleven rangers and 88 VIPs were assigned to provide emergency services throughout the day and evening. Thirty-five EMS incidents occurred, seven of them requiring ambulance transport. The number of incidents was considerably lower than in past years due to cloud cover and rain in the late afternoon and early evening hours. Four AED-equipped bike teams and ten ambulances were assigned to the incident. [Steve Ware, CVS, GUCO, 7/9; Rod Danner, CR, JEFF, 7/9; Randy Coffman, RAD/WASO, 7/10; Ed Wenschhof, ANTI, 7/10]
While conducting parking enforcement on the National Mall on July 16th, horse-mounted officer Chuck Nail was assaulted by a woman. When Nail asked her to move her illegally-parked vehicle, she began arguing with him. During this interaction, the woman drove away, dragging Nail a short distance. Two passers-by who witnessed the incident impeded her vehicle with theirs until Nail could make the arrest. Nail sustained minor injuries to his left arm. [Sgt. R. MacLean, USPP, NCR, 7/18]
The DC fire department responded to a fire in a wooden maintenance building at Anacostia Marina on July 12th. The marina had been closed for renovation by the NPS, and the building was empty. No one was injured. The fire is being jointly investigated by DC FD and the Park Police. [Sgt. R. MacLean, USPP, NCR, 7/16]
On July 15th, a man threatened several people at the James Creek Marina while brandishing a shotgun. Park Police officers arrested him after he exited his boat without incident. The shotgun was not recovered, but nearby waters are being searched. [Sgt. R. MacLean, USPP, NCR, 7/16]
On May 2nd, the body of an 18-year-old girl was found on the grounds of the Agricultural Research Center in Beltsville. She'd been shot several times. Since the body was found in an area of exclusive federal jurisdiction and since the US Park Police provide enforcement to the area under an MOU with the center, the investigation was coordinated by the Park Police and FBI. Two men were subsequently arrested - R.M., 21, and C.M., 22. On July 9th, a federal grand jury indicted them for first degree murder. No decision has been made on whether the death penalty will be sought in this case. [Sgt. R. MacLean, USPP, NCR, 7/10]
While patrolling Sherman Circle Park on June 20th, officers Eric Tam and Tehron McCall stopped a vehicle for numerous traffic law violations. The operator, D.W., was placed under arrest for driving without a license. A subsequent computer check revealed that D.W. was wanted by city police for first degree murder while armed in connection with a double homicide in the district in August, 1999. D.W. was also wanted on a misdemeanor bench warrant for failure to appear for an arraignment hearing for possession of heroin. [Sgt. R. MacLean, USPP, NCR, 7/9]
On July 24th, R.M., 48, chief of education and interpretation for NCR, died following a lengthy illness. Ron worked for the NPS for most of his adult life. He served as a park technician at NCP and the JFK Center in 1974 and 1975, then became a park ranger through the intake program at Gateway NRA in 1979. In 1988, he became superintendent at Booker T. Washington NHS and in 1990 transferred to Harry S Truman NHS to become superintendent of that park. He had served as chief of education and interpretation at NCR since 1995. Ron is survived by his wife, V.H.M., his son, T.M., his daughter, M., and his father, Dr. V.M.. The viewing and funeral will take place on August 3rd at Mt. Calvary Baptist Church, 608 North Horners Lane, Rockville, Maryland (301-424-8717). The viewing will take place at 10 a.m. and the funeral will begin at 11 a.m. Letters and notes of support may be sent to the family c/o George Vasjuta, NCR Education and Interpretation, National Park Service, 1100 Ohio Drive, SW, Washington, DC 20242. The family has asked that donations be made in lieu of flowers to the Davita Wheaton Dialysis Center, 11941 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20902, ATTN: Siliva Rimero or Sallie Massaquoi. [Einar Olsen, RCR, NCRO, 7/31]
On August 20th, USPP officer Jose Fontanez stopped a car in the area of Logan Circle Park. A computer check revealed that the operator was wanted by the Secret Service for bank fraud. The driver refused to follow Fontanez' directions and reached several times towards the car's center console. When Fontanez attempted to arrest him, a struggle ensued and the driver fled into an adjacent alleyway. He was subsequently found beneath a trash dumpster and arrested. A search of the vehicle yielded a 9 mm handgun with the safety mechanism disengaged beneath the center console. The man was charged with assault on an officer, bank fraud, and - since he was a convicted felon - a National Firearms Act violation. Fontanez sustained several abrasions and a bruise on the right side of his eye. [Sgt. R. MacLean, USPP, NCR, 8/27]
A man walking his bicycle through Dupont Circle Park on August 27th was approached by a man who attempted to take his bike. During the ensuing struggle, the owner of the bicycle was stabbed in the chest with a knife. The assailant fled the area on foot. The bike's owner made his way to nearby George Washington University Hospital, where he was treated for his wound and released. Park Police detectives are investigating. [Sgt. R. MacLean, USPP, NCR, 9/6]
The following changes in the status of National Park Service areas and offices were reported yesterday: o National Capital Parks (DC) - All monuments have reopened. [Pat Buccello, CISM Team, STLI, 9/19; Dennis McGinnis, Type 1 IMT, WASO, 9/19; Sue Masica, Administration, WASO, 9/19; SHEN EICC, 9/18]
The National Park Service continues to provide support to its parks and employees, gather information on the status of field areas for DOI, and deal with security issues throughout the country. Director Mainella is in New York today to meet and talk with employees and to visit sites affected by the attacks. The Service's Type 1 incident management team (Skip Brooks, IC) continues its operations from the South Interior Building. The following summarizes the current status of parks in the New York and Washington areas and any changes in the previously reported status of parks elsewhere: o National Capital Parks - All monuments and memorials are open; scheduled events will be held. [SHEN EICC, 9/20]
Strong odors were reported to be emanating from the basement of the memorial on the evening of October 4th. USPP officers and NPS maintenance personnel checked and encountered fumes that caused a burning sensation in their throats, eyes and lungs. The memorial was immediately evacuated and DC hazmat units were summoned. Hazmat personnel located an unsecured container of cleaning solution in a maintenance closet in the basement that proved to be the source of the fumes. About 20 visitors and several USPP officers and NPS staff were evaluated at the scene by DC fire and EMS personnel and released. [Sgt. R. MacLean, USPP, NCR, 10/11]
Park Police officers responded to a break-in at Ford's Theater around 1:30 a.m. on October 8th. A USPP guard had found an unsecured and damaged door during a security check of the building and immediately notified Park Police dispatch. Officers established a perimeter around the building and secured all exits. Lieutenant Shawn Turonis spotted a man within the building through a glass door and entered along with several officers and two city PD canines. Two men were arrested and held pending charges in DC superior court for burglary, destruction of government property, and unlawful entry. [Sgt. R. MacLean, USPP, NCR, 10/11]
A citizen was walking through Logan Circle Park on October 5th when he was stopped by a man who attempted to rob him. The would-be-robber assaulted the man when he attempted to flee, knocking him to the ground and repeatedly kicking him in the face. Park Police officers met with the victim, obtained a good description of the assailant, found him several blocks away, and placed him under arrest. [Sgt. R. MacLean, USPP, NCR, 10/23]
Rangers from NCR parks assisted U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service special agents and other state and local law enforcement agencies in a raid on a squatters' camp in an isolated area of Occoquan NWR in Dumfries, Virginia, on April 27th. The camp's inhabitants, all illegal aliens from El Salvador, were turned over to INS. Considerable resource damage had taken place as a result of the camp's construction. Criminal charges are pending. [Einar Olsen, RCR, NCR, 5/8]
On May 18th, a multi-agency task force concluded the spring 2002 operation of Task Force Potomac, a fisheries enforcement operation on the Potomac River in the Little Falls/Chain Bridge area. Citations were issued for 182 violations, including the illegal catch of striped bass and shad, use of cast nets, snagging, fishing without license,, and a multitude of CFR violations. Participating in the operation were USPP officers, NPS rangers, USFWS agents, officers from the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, DC Harbor Police, Virginia Marine Resources Commission officers, and Ft. Belvoir game wardens. [Einar Olsen, RCR, NCRO, 5/23]
At 6 a.m. on may 30th, Park Police and DC Metro officers executed eight search warrants for drug dealing in Dupont Circle Park. The investigation, entitled "Operation Gold Coast," began late last year and targeted drug dealers in the park, the largest open-air drug market in the region. During the investigation, 85 undercover drug purchases were made from 44 different drug dealers, resulting in 34 dealers being indicted and charged with distribution of crack cocaine. Officers from the Central District Crime Prevention Unit, the Central District Patrol Unit, the Narcotics Vice Unit and the Criminal Investigations Branch assisted in the arrest of 17 of those indicted and the seizure of $5,400 in crack cocaine, $350 in marijuana, $5,000 in cash, four vehicles worth $46,000, and two BB pistols possibly linking suspects to area armed robberies. Another seven people were also arrested for probable cause drug offenses. Prior to the close out, six of the indicted subjects were incarcerated on unrelated charges. The operation, spearheaded by lead investigator Kurt Hansen, helped return Dupont Circle Park to its rightful users. [Scott Fear, USPP, 6/4]
Lt. Phil Beck made a traffic stop on a white Chevrolet van matching the description of the vehicle originally suspected in the sniper shootings on the morning of October 15. The vehicle had traveled across Arlington Memorial Bridge and was stopped a few blocks from the Lincoln Memorial. Beck and an assisting officer searched the van and found a .45 caliber pistol and ammunition. The operator was arrested and charges have been filed in DC superior court. [Submitted by Sergeant Scott R. Fear, Public Information Officer, US Park Police]
On March 26th, a demonstration against the war took place in
Lafayette Park. Park Police officers and two SET rangers secured the
park and issued warnings to the demonstrators. Within two hours, the
Park Police had made 68 arrests. Fifty-eight of the arrests were made
for demonstrating without a permit; the other ten were for crossing a
police line. The Park Police have been dealing with demonstrations
throughout the capital and on the National Mall since prior to the start
of the war. This was the largest number of arrests to date.
Eastern parks in the path or potential path of Isabel have completed preparations. As a precautionary measure, one of the Service's two national Type 1 teams (JD Swed's team) has staging in Charlotte, North Carolina, in order to be prepared to respond as needed to any park or area. A number of Type 2 teams are also on standby. All federal agencies in the Washington area are closed today, including the NPS Washington Office. OPM will monitor the weather and make a determination later today on whether or not offices will reopen on Friday. Here's a rundown on the status of many of the parks in or near the storm's path (south to north):
This summary was compiled from reports submitted by Ken Garvin, SERO; Brenda Ritchie, EICC, SHEN; Russ Wilson, Superintendent, SAHO/GATE; Ann Childress, Superintendent, MOCR; Mark Hardgrove, Assistant Superintendent, CAHA; Mike Litterst, PIO, COLO; Bob Kirby, Superintendent, PETE; Wayne Valentine, IC, FIIS; José Rosario, Acting Chief, Park Operations Support, GATE; Cindy MacLeod, Superintendent, RICH; William Kenyon, NCR Dispatch; Scot McElveen, Chief Ranger, HAFE; Wayne Sanders, Chief of Maintenance, GEWA/THST; Tom Nash, Chief Ranger, COLO; Russ Smith, Superintendent, FRSP; Clay Jordan, IC, SHEN; Steven Ambrose, Park Ranger, HOFU; Frank Mills, IC, STLI; Ed Whitaker, IC, DEWA.
Hurricane Isabel caused moderate to extensive damage in many parks within Southeast, National Capital and Northeast Regions. As of yesterday, 36 parks had reported damage sufficient to require the preparation of conditions assessments. Although most of these parks are not requesting any additional assistance, several have sustained damage sufficient to warrant oversight of recovery efforts by incident management teams. Here's a rundown on the affected parks (south to north), excluding those that reported negligible impacts:
Additional reports will appear daily during recovery operations, which will likely go on for some time. Current information and essential documents from the incident management teams will be available at the IMT web page: http://www.nps.gov/fire/allrisk/. Please check if for additional details. Reports compiled from submissions by Kris Fister, IO, Type 1 IMT; Ken Garvin, SERO; Don Boucher, NCRO; Doug Wallner, NERO; Ann Childress, Superintendent, MOCR; Wouter Ketel, IC, and Bob Vogel, Superintendent, CALO; Paul Stevens, Liaison Officer, IMT, and Barry Munyan, ADR, CAHA; Vidal Martinez, Superintendent, GEWA; Reed Johnson, Superintendent, APCO; Clay Jordan, IC, Type 3 IMT, SHEN; Mike Hill, Superintendent, ASIS; Charlie Strickfaden, Chief Ranger, FOMC; Gregory Smith, Chief Ranger, MORR; Maryanne Gerbauckas, Superintendent, EDIS; Bill Sanders, Superintendent, HOFU; Cindy McLeod, Superintendent, RICH; Bob Kirby, Superintendent, PETE; Russ Smith, Superintendent, FRSP.
Damage assessments and the organization of repair and rehabilitation operations are underway at parks throughout the Mid-Atlantic states. Assisting with and supporting these efforts are JD Swed's Type 1 team (currently relocating from Charlotte to Williamsburg), Rick Brown's Type 2 team, and Clay Jordan's Type 3 team at Shenandoah. Here's a rundown on the current status of affected parks (south to north): National Capital Area Damage was substantial throughout the DC area:
Additional reports will appear daily during recovery operations, which will likely go on for some time. Current information and essential documents from the incident management teams will be available at the IMT web page: http://www.nps.gov/fire/allrisk/. Please check if for additional details. Reports compiled from submissions by Kris Fister, IO, Type 1 IMT; Ken Garvin, SERO; Don Boucher, NCRO; Bob Martin and Doug Wallner, NERO; Mary Doll, PIO, Outer Banks Group; Wouter Ketel, IC/Chief Ranger, and Donna Tipton, PIO, CALO; Laura Joss, Superintendent, FOMC; Vidal Martinez, Superintendent, GEWA/THST; Cindy MacLeod, Superintendent, RICH/MAWA; Bob Kirby, Superintendent, PETE; Laurie Coughlan, Superintendent, HAMP; Clay Jordan, IC, Type 3 IMT, SHEN; Tom Nash, Chief Ranger, COLO; Bill Sanders, Superintendent, HOFU; Mike Hill, Superintendent, ASIS.
Yesterday's efforts focused largely on organizing incident management operations, orienting incoming personnel, obtaining equipment, and gathering important damage cost data for the regional and Washington offices. Initial recovery efforts were hampered by heavy rain that fell on Tuesday night and Wednesday morning, causing new flood damage in many areas already affected by Isabel. The following reports were received from parks and regions over the past 24 hours. They are listed from south to north. This information either supplements or revises information previously reported; no effort is being made to recap earlier submissions with each new summary. Through the assistance of David Duran in the Service's National Information Systems Center in Denver, URL's are posted below for maps of three of the hardest hit parks - Cape Lookout, Cape Hatteras, and Colonial - so that readers can more easily determine referenced locations. Others will be added in the future as needed. You can zoom in or out or pan from one park to another and can also turn additional data layers on or off, e.g. National Geographic TOPO!, Relief Imagery, Flood Hazard Areas, Land Cover Imagery, etc. The sites are, respectively: http://maps2.itc.nps.gov/nps/parkatlas/jsp/atlas.jsp?zoomtopark=Cape%20Lookout%20National%20Seashore For a gallery of photos of the hurricane's effects on several parks, put together by WASO ITC's Ken Handwerger, please go to http://inside.nps.gov/ people/hurricane/. This gallery will be added to on a regular basis. National Capital Parks Central Monday night's rains again caused major flooding from the Potomac River throughout Washington. Road flooding has caused major disruptions to traffic flow throughout the area. The park's priority is to return the USPP District 1 substation to full operational status. Barring any further disruptions, repairs to that building should be 95% complete by Friday. Crews are making progress on cleanup and tree removal. Additional reports will appear daily during recovery operations, which will likely go on for some time. Current information and essential documents from the incident management teams will be available at the IMT web page: http://www.nps.gov/fire/allrisk/. Please check if for additional details. Reports compiled from submissions by Kris Fister, IO, Type 1 IMT; Barb Stewart, IO, Type 2 IMT; Don Boucher, NCRO; Dan Davidson, Shenandoah EICC; Bob Kirby, Superintendent, PETE; Clay Jordan, IC, Type 3 IMT, SHEN; Bob Martin, Regional Chief Ranger, NERO; Russ Smith, Superintendent, FRSP; Cindy McLeod, Superintendent, RICH.
Overview Crews and other resources have been arriving at the Williamsburg ICP for JD Swed's Type 1 IMT since Wednesday, bringing the total number of personnel currently assigned to the incident to 131. Early work efforts are focused on orienting personnel to the operations, with a heavy emphasis on safety due to the increased hazards involved in tree removal operations, especially with vehicle traffic. Team members are also holding short training sessions on ICS for newly-arrived personnel, as there are many people coming to this incident with minimal previous exposure to the system. The FMSS team continues to compile and input facilities assessment information received from the 38 park units that sustained hurricane-related damage. The preliminary assessment has been 100% completed by the parks. The FMSS team members are going out to parks beginning today to conduct comprehensive condition assessments. Crews will continue work on clearing the Yorktown Battlefield tour road in Colonial NHP. Additional crews and other resources were dispatched yesterday to Fredericksburg/Spotsylvania NMP, Richmond NB and Petersburg NB to work on tree clearing and other cleanup operations. Many employees working in the parks being managed in this incident are still without power at home. These same employees have been working for extended hours with little or no time off for over a week. A three-person Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (CISD) team was scheduled to arrive in Williamsburg yesterday. They will make arrangements to provide assistance to park employees dealing with incident-related stress Rick Brown's Type 2 team, which is focusing on four sites in what's being called the North Carolina Seashore Area, is divided into two branches. The Outer Banks Group branch has four divisions - one for Wright Brothers and Fort Raleigh, one for Bodie Island, one for Hatteras Island, and one for Ocracoke Island; the Cape Lookout branch has two divisions - one for Core Banks and one for Portsmouth Village. Principal problems confronting personnel on this operation have to do with the time and distances between locations and the amount of travel required. Operations are underway in all divisions. Park Updates The following reports were received from parks and regions over the past 24 hours. They are listed from south to north. This information either supplements or revises information previously reported; no effort is being made to recap earlier submissions with each new summary.
Additional Information
Reports compiled from submissions by Kris Fister, IO, Type 1 IMT; Barb Stewart, IO, Type 2 IMT; Karl Merchant, Plans Chief, Type 2 IMT; Dave Lattimore, Plans Chief, Type 1 IMT; Don Boucher, NCRO; Zeke Seabright, NCR Communications Center; Clay Jordan, IC, Type 3 IMT, SHEN; Bob Martin, Regional Chief Ranger, NERO; Cindy McLeod, Superintendent, RICH; Mike Litterst, PIO, COLO.
Early on the morning of October 8th, members of the Park Police
Criminal Investigation Branch executed a District of Columbia superior
court search warrant following information received about a residence
which abuts NPS property at Quincy Playground in the area of 14th Street
and Quincy Place in northwest Washington. During the search of the
residence, officers found and seized a Foremost 20 gauge shotgun with a
sawed off stock, a Colt Anaconda 44 magnum revolver, an Intra-Tec 9 9mm
pistol with a 50-round magazine, a Cobray M-11 9mm firearm with a
30-round magazine, and a Ruger Mini 14 Ranch Rifle with a scope and
sawed off stock and a 28-round magazine. Also recovered were 250 rounds
of ammunition for the weapons (including several additional magazines)
and numerous items of drug paraphernalia (including cutting material and
mixing utensils for making heroin). Approximately $700 in U.S. currency
was taken as evidence. There was one arrest.
On the evening of January 8th, a woman who had just gotten into her
2001 Mercedes S430 at White Flint Mall in Maryland was grabbed by a man
who dragged her to the ground, threatened to kill her, and demanded her
car keys. The woman threw her keys at him and fled. Police were notified
and a description of the vehicle was broadcast throughout the area. The
car was equipped with Tele Aid, a communications and navigation system
which was employed to assist police in tracking it. Park Police officer
John Cox located the Mercedes in southeast Washington and stopped it.
Cox ordered the driver out at gunpoint, but he instead hit Cox with the
car. Cox sustained only minor injuries and was able to pursue. A Park
Police helicopter responded and assisted in keeping tabs on the vehicle.
During the chase, several cars, including one driven by USPP officer
Cory Houghton, were hit by the Mercedes. Houghton sustained minor
injuries. The car finally stopped after a tire blew out; the driver
bailed out, but was caught by a Prince George County PD officer and USPP
officer Sheldon Thorpe. D.F., 34, was arrested and charged
with carjacking, auto theft, theft over $500, unauthorized use of a
motor vehicle, and second-degree assault. He's currently being held
without bond.
On January 5th, a Metropolitan Police Department officer stopped a
vehicle near I-395 and the northbound ramp to Maine Avenue. The vehicle
had been taken by stealth the previous day when the operator left the
keys in the vehicle while paying for fuel. The two occupants bailed out
of the vehicle and ran across the railroad tracks into the wood line
near National Capital Parks-Central buildings, with one reaching into
his waistband. MPD asked for assistance from the Park Police, and
several responded. K-9 officer Jerre Psak and her partner, "Malu,"
searched the area, and "Malu" found one of the suspects on NPS property
near the fence bordering the buildings. He was arrested, turned over to
MPD, and charged with unauthorized use of a motor vehicle. A computer
check revealed that he was also wanted for felonious assault in
Alexandria, Virginia. His companion was never found.
Officer Penti Gillespie was monitoring a bank of surveillance cameras
at the Park Police's Central District on the night of January 14th when
he saw two people scaling a frozen water fountain wall in "room number
four" of the FDR Memorial. Officers Holly Davis, Patricia Demarco and
Keith Johnson were dispatched to investigate and detained the two men,
who'd been drinking alcohol. When Davis attempted to identify them, they
told her that they'd left their ID's in their vehicle. The officers saw
open containers of alcohol in plain view in the vehicle; when they went
to retrieve them, they also found 84 grams of crack cocaine and $2,460
in cash. The men were arrested for possession with intent to distribute
crack cocaine. A 1999 Toyota Solara was impounded for asset forfeiture
for being utilized in narcotics trafficking.
Park Police detective Todd Reid and officer John Cox were en route to
Franklin Park to work a prostitution detail on the evening of January
21st when they were passed at high speed by a gold Cadillac. They
attempted to pull it over, but the driver declined to stop until forced
to do so by highway congestion. While Cox detained the driver, Reid
pursued the passenger, who fled on foot. The chase went on for several
blocks, cutting through a number of small NPS-administered parks along
Massachusetts Avenue. At one point, the man Reid was chasing fell down,
and a dark-colored handgun fell to the sidewalk. He regained his
footing, but was eventually captured after a fight with Reid. Park
Police officer Ricardo Zamora, who had responded as backup, found the
gun — a loaded .38 caliber revolver. Reid also found a loaded .45
caliber semi-automatic pistol in the man's pants pocket, with three
rounds in the magazine and a fourth in the chamber. Meanwhile, Cox had
arrested the driver and detained a second adult, who had been in the
back seat with a one-year-old child who was not in a safety seat. The
second adult was charged with child endangerment. Two spent .45 caliber
casings were found on the floor of the Cadillac. Investigators are
talking with a witness who reported that the weapon had been fired from
the car before the officers arrived.
A pregnant 22-year-old woman was sitting in the passenger seat of her
parked car on 6th and H Streets in northwest Washington on the afternoon
of February 9th when a man with a badge hanging from a chain around his
neck told her he was a police officer and that she would have to move
her vehicle. Once she got behind the steering wheel, he yanked her from
the car, jumped into the seat, and began driving away. She grabbed the
door and ran beside the vehicle for a short distance. A witness observed
the incident and attempted to call 911 without success. He then followed
the stolen vehicle down to the National Mall, where he was able to tell
what happened to an officer from the U.S. Capitol Police. The Capitol
Police contacted the Park Police with a description of the vehicle.
Within minutes, officer Corey Houghton spotted the vehicle on the Mall
and attempted to pull it over. The driver refused to stop, though, and a
short pursuit ensued through southwest DC. Eagle 1 flew above the
vehicle and kept tabs on it throughout the chase. Officer Steve Knapp
soon joined the pursuit in his cruiser and was instrumental in the
capture of the carjacker. The vehicle was eventually boxed in at 1st and
P Streets, where other responding Park Police officers assisted with the
arrest of the suspect. He was found to have a knife in his pocket and
was charged with armed carjacking, robbery with force and violence,
assault, and impersonating a police officer.
Park Police officer Charles Barner was on patrol in southeast
Washington the morning of February 26th when two women ran out of a
house and waved frantically at him. Barner stopped his cruiser and ran
into the house with the women, one of whom was shouting that her baby
had drowned. Barner found an eight-month-old baby lying on the bathroom
floor, unconscious and not breathing. He began CPR, and the baby resumed
breathing and showed signs of a pulse. City fire and EMS personnel
arrived on scene shortly thereafter and took the baby to Children's
Hospital, where it is recovering.
A George Washington University student who was walking along the
Tidal Basin with two friends around 10
p.m. on March 27th when he reportedly said something to them, then ran
and jumped into the water. Park Police officers and rangers responded,
but were unable to get him out of the water. Divers recovered his body
about an hour later. The incident took place on the opening day of the
Cherry Blossom Festival, which brought thousands of people to see the
blooming trees around the Tidal Basin. This is the first death in the
basin in recent memory. Metro PD is investigating.
On the afternoon of February 18th, Park Police officer Enrique Wong was patrolling Lafayette Park when he saw two people attempting to climb over the fence surrounding the Andrew Jackson statue and then onto the statue. Wong ordering the climbers to come off the statue and back over the fence. The first person was taken into custody without incident, but the second fled. Wong left the first person with an assisting agency officer and chased the second on foot. She was located on a nearby parked bus. When he attempted to detain her, a struggle ensued, but Wong eventually handcuffed her. Neither was injured in the scuffle. The pair were arrested for violating CFR regulations against statue climbing, and the woman who resisted arrest was charged with assaulting a police officer. [Officer LM Weisbaum, US Park Police]
When a severe thunderstorm struck the DC area on the afternoon of June 16th, K-9 officer Jeffrey Bartlett, who was on patrol in the area, immediately recognized the danger it presented to visitors who were standing in and around a series of tents set up on the Mall for the upcoming National Folklife Festival. He radioed for additional units to help clear the area near the tents. Sergeant Carl Holmberg, also in the area, responded and saw that the tents were rocking from the rain and wind. He noted that one tent had at least 40 people inside. As he was directing them to the Smithsonian museums for safety, the tent collapsed. Holmberg determined that the visitors were part of a tour group and located the group leader. He instructed her to make a head count and she reported that one young girl was missing. Detective Patrick Fouty and officers Catherine Mulhall and Allan Stone also responded. The girl was heard screaming from within the wreckage of the collapsed tent. Holmberg employed a knife to cut the tent open and found the 11-year-old girl trapped in the wreckage. She was suffering from head injuries and trapped by two support beams. Working in conjunction with several bystanders, the officers were able to lift one of the beams while other officers used smaller poles to gain enough leverage to lift the other beam. Fouty was then able to pull the girl from the collapsed tent. She was taken into a nearby museum, where first aid was administered while waiting for EMS to arrive. Bartlett recognized that more storms were possible, so he directed the Smithsonian museums to close all exits onto the Mall and the Smithsonian Metro station to stop riders from exiting onto the Mall until the area was made safe. A total of 10 visitors reported injuries. They include three adults and seven juveniles. All reported injured persons were transported to area hospitals for treatment of non-life threatening injuries. [Sergeant Robert Lachance, Public Affairs Officer]
The Fourth of July weekend was a busy, festive event at sites throughout the nation. The following reports have been received to date: National Mall — A drenching, lightning-filled thunderstorm that dropped nearly two inches of rain and looked like it would put a damper on Independence Day festivities moved out of town in time to allow for the "Capital Fourth" concert on the west lawn of the U.S. Capitol and the famous National Park Service fireworks. Despite the on-again, off-again deluge and natural fireworks display during the day, larger than expected numbers of visitors turned out in the evening despite the soggy grounds and skies that threatened for a while to dump even more moisture. The rain, lightning and thunder caused first the postponement, then the cancellation of the annual Independence Day Parade along Constitution Ave. About 20 units — including those carrying Regional Director Terry Carlstrom — started and completed the 10-block parade route, but the approximately 60 remaining units were told to take cover as Mother Nature interceded around noon. The Park Police provided security throughout the day. The National Mall and related areas were closed from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m.for a security sweep, then opened with 19 security checkpoints available for visitors to enter the National Mall. More than 20 local, state and federal agencies helped Park Police provide security. The "Capital Fourth" concert began at 8 p.m. with host Barry Bostwick and Nashville legends Vince Gill and Amy Grant, Bee-Gees member Robin Gibb, American Idol singer and double platinum recording star Clay Aiken, and gospel star Yolanda Adams. The entire performance, which included a tribute to the late American music legend Ray Charles and a birthday salute to American composer and conductor John Philip Sousa, was televised nationally on the Public Broadcasting System and National Public Radio. The fireworks began at precisely 9:10 p.m., exploding in the skies over the new World War II Memorial, closed and covered with fire-retardant tarps to protect it from any possible permanent damage. The Pyro Company of LaFollette, Tennessee, launched American, Italian, Spanish, Japanese and Chinese fireworks high into the sky, delighting crowds on the Washington Monument grounds, near the Lincoln Memorial and around the Tidal Basin. Operations were supported by staff at a command post at the
Emergency Incident Coordination Center (EICC) located at Shenandoah NP
to manage any emergencies that might occur during the holiday on NPS
lands. The command post was staffed by an incident commander, deputy IC,
multi-regional coordinating group (MRCG) staff, and the EICC management
staff. The EICC provided real-time links to each of the parks during
their fireworks displays. All requested resources were mobilized and
available at the incidents at the requested times. There were no
significant incidents reported by the parks. All personnel were
demobilized by the end of the operational period.
As the nation and the world watched the 55th inaugural celebration
amid cold and blustery weather Thursday, the months-long efforts of
large numbers of staff from the National Capital Region, WASO and the
U.S. Park Police culminated in a successful series of events. NCR staff
from various parks, along with WASO and U.S. Park Police staff, joined
numerous other federal and District of Columbia agencies to pay
attention to a multitude of details, ranging from the placement of
bleachers along both sides of Pennsylvania Avenue National Historical
Park and the issuing of numerous permits for First Amendment
demonstration activities to the involvement in the construction and
set-up of the Presidential reviewing stand in front of the White House
and the covered, multi-tiered news media platform in Lafayette Square.
Nearly two inches of snow fell on Washington Wednesday afternoon, so
maintenance crews from the National Mall and Memorial Parks, National
Capital Parks-East and Rock Creek Park had to work late into the evening
to help clear snow from sidewalks, roadways and parkways in the District
of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia. The staffs from President's Park and
White House Liaison were especially tested, as they moved from the
annual lighting of the National Christmas Tree ceremony on the Ellipse
in early December directly into preparations for Wednesday's
pre-inaugural event, also on the Ellipse, featuring the President, First
Lady and family, Hollywood celebrities and numerous country western
musical performances. U.S. Park Police joined forces to form an
approximately 4,000-person strong Washington-based police effort along
with 2,000 out-of-town officers to aid in all facets of security, the
largest group of police officers ever to work for the official
swearing-in and inaugural festivities. Park rangers from Presidents Park
and the National Mall and Memorial Parks and NCR's Communications
Office staff welcomed large number of visitors to Washington and
answered literally thousands of calls asking for information and
guidance related to the Inauguration and related events.
At least 30 park rangers, maintenance staff and management personnel from the National Mall & Memorial Parks (NAMA), along with members of the U.S. Park Police, worked tirelessly and for long hours to welcome and to accommodate tens of thousands of visitors who waited patiently in line to view the coffin of Rosa Parks, the women credited with helping to spark the civil rights movement in the United States. Despite the fact that Parks' body - the first women to lie in honor in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda - was displayed on property not under National Park Service purview, NAMA and Park Police staff worked quickly following Congressional action on October 28th to organize for the overflow crowds who began assembling on the east end of the National Mall on October 30the before being allowed entrance into the Capitol. Virtually every person filing past Parks' remains had to first stand in line - some for up to five hours - on NPS-managed property. NAMA and Park Police staff worked closely in cooperation with U.S. Capitol Police and staff from the Architect of the Capitol to establish queuing areas that allowed the crowds to assemble near the screening locations that all visitors had to clear before entering the Capitol. NAMA staff fenced off large sections of the Capitol reflecting pool grounds and reacted immediately with improvised barriers installed on the Mall to manage the growing crowd and permit orderly, quick and efficient visitor passage into the screening areas and then into the Capitol. NAMA rangers and management staff working into the early morning hours, answered literally thousands of questions for information and guidance regarding accessing the Capitol and helped make quick arrangements for portable restroom facilities to be brought on-site. Guest Services, Inc., the park concessionaire, responded to the call for warm beverages as the reviewing hours were extended past midnight. The NCR Communications Office worked with over a dozen different television news organizations to provide prime satellite truck parking, to help provide quick and efficient access to the crowds and location shots of the U.S. Capitol. [Bill Line, Communications Officer, NCRO]
Five men ranging in age from 16 to 22 years old have been arrested and charged in connection with a series of armed robberies and sexual assaults that occurred on the National Mall last May and July. The five were taken into custody by USPP officers following an intensive investigation conducted by the Park Police and the U.S. Attorney's Office, with assistance provided by the U.S. Marshals Service, the Secret Service, the FBI, Prince George's County PD, Metro Transit PD and Metropolitan PD. Another three individuals have also been arrested in connection with the use of credit cards stolen during the robberies. The following five incidents occurred on the Mall: May 25, 10 p.m. to 11 p.m. - A couple walking on the Mall were approached by three young men, one armed with a gun. They were ordered to the ground at gunpoint and searched for money and valuables. Items taken from them included cash, a cell phone, and a wallet containing credit and ATM cards. One of the men committed a forceful sexual touching of the woman. May 25, immediately after the above - The men approached another couple on the Mall and were also ordered to the ground and robbed of similar items. As in the first incident, one of them committed a forceful sexual touching of the woman. She was also kicked in the head by one of the men when she resisted. May 27, 11 p.m. to midnight - A man and woman walking together on the Mall were approached by three young men, one armed with a gun. A jacket, wallet, cash and credit cards were taken from the man and his pants pockets were searched. Items and cash were also taken from the woman, who was then taken by the armed man to a grassy are of the Mall, where he raped her at gunpoint, then forced her to commit oral sodomy on him and a second man. The latter punched and kicked the man before joining the sexual assault. July 11, about 10 p.m. - Two women were approached by two young men and robbed of their cell phones and cash on the grounds of the Washington Monument. During the robbery, one of the men committed a forceful sexual touching of one of the women. July 11, 10 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. - A family of four - two adults with their two children, ages 9 and 15 - were walking on the Mall near the Washington Monument when they were approached by two men, one armed with a gun. They were forced to the ground at gunpoint, then robbed of cash and a camera. Working methodically and following leads arising from an analysis of records from the stolen credit cards and a cell phone, interviews with witnesses, and the execution of more than a dozen search warrants, investigators identified and arrested the five men. A variety of assault and robbery charges have been filed against them. Three other men, ranging in age from 19 to 24, have been arrested and charged with conspiracy to commit theft in the first degree in connection with the use of some of the stolen credit cards. In announcing the arrests and charges against these defendants, U.S. attorney Kenneth Wainstein and USPP chief Dwight Pettiford commended the outstanding work of all members of law enforcement who worked tirelessly to close this investigation, particularly, lead detective Todd Reid of the U.S. Park Police and the outstanding team of detectives, along with David Knoedler of the U.S. Secret Service, Marty Flynn of the U.S. Marshals Service, and the Criminal Investigative Unit of the U.S. Attorney's Office, particularly, John Marsh and Larry Grasso. They also commended assistant U.S. attorneys Elana Tyrangiel and Dan Zachem. [Channing Phillips, Public Affairs, Department of Justice]
In mid-August, five men ranging in age from 16 to 22 years old were arrested and charged in connection with a series of armed robberies and sexual assaults that occurred on the National Mall last May and July (click on "More Information" below for the original incident report). Four of them subsequently pled guilty to the charges. On Tuesday, September 5th, R.N., the fifth and final defendant, appeared in DC Superior Court and pled guilty to one count of first degree sexual abuse while armed, six counts of robbery, and four counts of possessing a firearm while committing a crime of violence. When he is sentenced on November 8th, R.N. will face a maximum possible sentence of 180 years of incarceration under the statute, and between 41 and 83 years under the voluntary sentencing guidelines. "Today's fifth and final guilty plea puts an end to the brutal reign of terror committed by this band of defendants on unsuspecting visitors to our National Mall," said U.S. Attorney Kenneth L. Wainstein. "The fact that investigators and prosecutors were able to resolve this case with all five defendants pleading guilty within 32 days of the first arrest is a testament to the outstanding work and tenacity of the investigative team." The five men were arrested by USPP officers following an intensive investigation conducted by the U.S. Park Police and the U.S. Attorney's Office and assisted by the U.S. Marshals Service, the U.S. Secret Service, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Prince George's County Police Department, the Metro Transit Police Department and the Metropolitan Police Department. HYPERLINK "http://classicinside.nps.gov/headline.cfm?type=Incidents&id=2803" [Channing Phillips, Public Affairs, United States Attorneys Office]
US Park Police officers were dispatched to the Jefferson Memorial on the afternoon of February 13th to investigate a report of a man with a knife threatening NPS employees. Responding officers contacted a man brandishing a knife in the memorial's chamber. The man threatened to harm the officers. The memorial was cleared of all visitors and the man was safely arrested. [Lieutenant Scott Fear, USPP]
On Friday, March 16th, the United States Park Police handled a large demonstration at the White House. A large group of demonstrators marched from the National Cathedral to Lafayette Park, with the majority continuing on around the White House complex. A portion of the demonstrators moved onto the White House sidewalk and engaged in non-violent civil disobedience. United States Park Police officers then revoked the demonstrators' permit and made 222 arrests. On Saturday, officers handled a major demonstration at the ball fields near 23rd Street and Constitution Avenue. Demonstrators rallied at that location and eventually marched across Memorial Bridge to the Pentagon to continue their demonstration. A counter demonstration also took place along the east side of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and the northwest sidewalk at the Lincoln Memorial. USPP horse-mounted officers provided crowd control assistance; USPP motor units also provided crowd control assistance and were instrumental in ensuring that the demonstrators began their march. Intelligence gathered prior to the demonstration indicated the possibility of vandalism to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. To prevent this, extra security measures were implemented. Park Police officers were able to provide a safe environment for the demonstrators. There were no arrests and no memorials were defaced. [Sergeant Robert Lachance, Public Information Officer]
The fifth and final defendant has been sentenced in connection with the series of armed robberies and sexual assaults that occurred on the National Mall between May and July 2006. R.N., 17, was recently sentenced in D.C. Superior Court to 41 years of incarceration. R.N. pled guilty last August 29th to one count of first degree sexual abuse while armed, six counts of robbery, and four counts of possessing a firearm during the commission of a crime of violence. R.N. was the leader in the incidents, and he participated in every one of the robberies and sexual assaults. R.N.'s co-conspirators were sentenced between October 2006 and January 2007: T.T., 19, was sentenced on January 9th to 26 years and 4 months of incarceration in connection with his plea to one count of first degree sexual abuse, three counts of robbery, one count of assault with a dangerous weapon, one count of conspiracy, and two counts of possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime of violence. Thomas participated in the armed robberies on May 25, 2006, and in the armed robberies and sexual assault on May 27, 2006. Z.B., 20, was sentenced last October 26th to 10 years in jail following his guilty plea to one count of conspiracy, three counts of armed robbery, and one count of possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime of violence. The charges were in connection with the two robberies that occurred on July 11, 2006. M.B., 22, was sentenced on October 24th to 8 years in jail in connection with his guilty plea to one count of conspiracy, two counts of armed robbery, one count of possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime of violence, and one count of assault with a dangerous weapon for his participation in the two armed robberies on the National Mall on May 25, 2006. M.B., 16, pled guilty on August 11th to one count of armed robbery and one count of conspiracy to commit armed robbery, for his participation in the May 27, 2006 armed robbery on the National Mall. On October 16th, he was sentenced to 2 years in jail. To see the initial and follow-up reports on this case, click on the following links: HYPERLINK "http://classicinside.nps.gov/headline.cfm?type=Incidents&id=2803" http://classicinside.nps.gov/headline.cfm?type=Incidents&id=2803 HYPERLINK "http://classicinside.nps.gov/headline.cfm?type=Incidents&id=2851" http://classicinside.nps.gov/headline.cfm?type=Incidents&id=2851 In announcing the sentences, U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Taylor and U.S. Park Police Chief Dwight Pettiford commended the investigative efforts of Todd Reid of the U.S. Park Police and the outstanding team of detectives, along with David Knoedler of the U.S. Secret Service, Marty Flynn of the U.S. Marshals Service, and the Criminal Investigative Unit of the U.S. Attorney's Office, particularly John Marsh and Larry Grasso. They also commended Assistant U.S. Attorneys Dan Zachem and Elana Tyrangiel, who prosecuted the case. Chief Pettiford made these closing comments: "This brings closure to a series of horrendous crimes that occurred on the National Mall. We are concerned for the victims and we continue to support them in their recovery. I believe the sentencing of these young men sends a strong message to all criminals." [Sergeant Robert Lachance, Public Information Officer]
The annual Independence Day fireworks display from the National Mall began as scheduled at 9:10 p.m. on July 4th and lasted for 20 minutes. Pyro Shows, a government contracted fireworks company, presented the show. Subsequent to the program and while being inspected within the fireworks safety zone, three mortars containing 10 inch shells exploded, injuring a Pyro Shows employee and guest advisor. A third person, also employed by Pyro Shows, was treated on-site and released; preliminary reports suggest that he suffered no physical trauma related to the explosion. The United States Park Police, District of Columbia fire marshal and on-site EMS staff responded to the accident. One injured person, transported by helicopter to the Washington Hospital Center, remains hospitalized suffering from a broken right ankle, burns, and amputation of his right hand at the wrist along with other injuries to the right side of his body. The other person, transported from the scene by ambulance, was treated and released. No National Park Service employees were injured. United States Park Police, Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, OSHA, and District of Columbia Fire and Emergency Medical Service incident investigations are underway. [Lance Hatten, Deputy Chief Visitor Services]
Protestors flocked to Washington on Saturday, September 15th, for a large demonstration protesting the war in Iraq. Some of the demonstrators began their rally in Lafayette Park, others at Freedom Plaza and in Pershing Park. They then joined forces to march down Pennsylvania Avenue towards the Capitol. Two large groups of counter-demonstrators also rallied at the United States Navy Memorial on Pennsylvania Avenue and on the Mall at 7th Street. As the demonstrators marched to the Capitol, the counter-demonstrators lined Pennsylvania Avenue. Park Police and Metropolitan Police officers helped keep the march moving and prevented any major incidents between the opposing groups. The demonstrators eventually gathered on the west lawn of the Capitol. Once there, they began to engage in civil disobedience. The United States Capitol Police requested assistance from the Park Police, and officers were sent to help hold a police line. Capitol Police subsequently arrested more than 100 demonstrators who crossed that line. [Robert LaChance, Public Affairs Officer]
Park Police officers were notified that a woman had fallen into the Tidal Basin near the Jefferson Memorial just before 6 p.m. on Monday, December 17th. A tourist walking near the basin saw the woman in the water, calling for help, and ran over to assist her. Because of the high seawall and the added water weight of her soaked clothing, he could not pull her out of the water on his own. He was able to hold her arms, though, to keep her from going under until help could arrive. Another couple in the area observed the incident and called 911. Officers Tim Wallace and Bruce Airey and sergeant Carl Holmberg arrived in short order and assisted the tourist in pulling the woman over the edge of the basin and out of the water. This was a dangerous rescue for them, as the air temperature was in the 40's and the water was very cold. The officers and the citizen had to risk leaning over a high seawall with nothing to hold onto in order to pull her out. First aid was administered to the victim until an ambulance could arrive. She was then taken to a local hospital and treated for hypothermia. [Sergeant Robert Lachance, Public Information Officer]
On Tuesday, January 22nd, a large group of demonstrators rallied on the National Mall, then marched from the Mall to the Supreme Court. During the rally, one of the organizers on stage fell and struck her head. Members of the Park Police SWAT team detailed to the event were on hand near the stage. Sergeant John Dillon provided immediate critical care to the 82-year-old woman, who had suffered a head injury in the fall. Lieutenant Philip Beck and officers Greg Gilbert, Rufus Gillette, Mark Adamchik, Mike Ocetnik and Robert Zarger assisted, and eventually the SWAT team helped carry the injured woman to an ambulance for transport to a local hospital. Due to the large numbers of people in the streets, Park Police horse mounted units had to open a route through the crowd for the ambulance to and from the stage. The woman is expected to recover due to the fast, professional response of the Park Police officers. The remainder of the march continued without further incident. [Sergeant Robert Lachance, Public Affairs Officer]
On Saturday, April 19th, the United States Park Police handled a permitted demonstration by the National Socialist Movement. The group earlier secured a special use permit to exercise their First Amendment rights, with plans to assemble on the grounds of the Washington Monument, then march to the United States Capitol for a rally. Counter demonstrations were expected and a security plan was developed to minimize the possibility of violence between the permitted group and any counter groups. The Park Police coordinated extensively with the Metropolitan Police and the United States Capitol Police, since the event crossed jurisdictional lines. Prior to the arrival of the main group, a large group of counter demonstrators arrived on the grounds of the Washington Monument wearing masks and attracting considerable attention. The group spotted two members of the National Socialist Movement and began verbally and physically assaulting them. Park Police officers responded and escorted the pair out of the area after the counter demonstrators surrounded and assaulted members of the Park Police with pepper spray. One counter demonstrator struck an officer across the back with a pole while he was attempting to arrest one of the assaulting counter demonstrators. A total of six arrests were made, with charges filed against them for assaulting police officers and weapons violations. Members of the main group arrived later on an escorted bus and began their march. The Park Police Horse Mounted Unit provided considerable assistance in protecting the marchers while en route to the Capitol. [Sergeant Robert Lachance, Public Affairs Officer]
Reports have been received from parks along the Eastern seaboard regarding this past weekend's passage of Tropical Storm Hanna, which brought only modest winds but heavy rains: National Mall & Memorial Park - The section of 17th Street between the WW II Memorial and the Washington Monument and Ohio Drive in front of the golf course was closed due to flooding. [Wouter Ketel, CALO; Don Boucher, NRCO; Saudia Muwwakkil, SERO]
Park Police officer Tim Wallace was dispatched to Hains Point Bay 13 around 6 p.m. on September 10th to investigate a report of a car clout in progress. Wallace met with a man who'd seen another man - later identified as B.G. - break a window of his vehicle and take a GPS electronic device from the car. He yelled out to B.G., who appeared to throw the device back into the vehicle, then attempted to flee toward another vehicle. Before he could make good on his effort to escape, though, the victim and other witnesses ran towards him, causing B.G. to jump out and flee on foot. An updated lookout was broadcast, and officers Jonothan Alto and Michael Alto stopped B.G.. He had fresh cuts on his elbow which appeared consistent with those that would be incurred in breaking glass. The victim positively identified him and B.G. was arrested. During the on-scene investigation, officers found that the vehicle B.G. attempted to flee in had been reported stolen. At the same time, officer Donald Houghton reported that a GPS device had been stolen earlier in the day from a car in the Tidal Basin parking lot. The owner of that vehicle said that her home address was locked into the device. Officers found a GPS device inside the stolen vehicle. It was turned on and it had the given address on it. B.G. was charged on multiple counts, including unauthorized use of a vehicle, theft from an auto, and destruction of private property. On September 12th, members of the Criminal Investigation Branch's major crimes and narcotics and vice units from District One and officers from the Special Forces Branch served a warrant on B.G.'s residence. During the search, they found a large amount of stolen property, including new vehicle registration tags, clothing, electronic devices, jewelry, and loaded pistol magazines. They were seized. B.G. was at the residence and was arrested. Additional charges were added for theft, receiving stolen property, and unregistered ammunition. Detectives contacted the local police department to investigate whether B.G. is a suspect in any of their cases. [Sergeant Robert Lachance, US Park Police]
I.W., 24, of Bethesda, Maryland, was bicycling south across Maine Avenue heading toward the Tidal Basin parking lot around 11:20 p.m. on October 5th when he was hit by an eastbound Toyota Corolla. The car had a green traffic signal at the intersection when the collision occurred. The driver of the Toyota remained at the scene and cooperated with Park Police officers in the ensuing investigation. No charges have been placed against the driver. The eastbound lanes of Maine Avenue were closed for about four hours for crash reconstruction. I.W. was taken to a local hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. [Sergeant Robert Lachance, US Park Police]
On Tuesday, January 20th, President-elect Barack Obama will take the oath of office on the West Front of the United States Capitol Building. At the conclusion of the ceremony, the President will ride in an inaugural parade, complete with floats, horses, military units and marching bands, from the Capitol to the Presidential reviewing stand on the 1600 block of Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest. The National Park Service has been directly involved in all inaugurals in Washington since FDR was President - a total of 19 inaugurals over more than 70 years. Key NPS inaugural areas include the National Mall (used for staging for the inaugural), Pennsylvania Avenue National Historic Site (the parade route), and Lafayette Square (site of a news media reviewing stand opposite the Presidential reviewing stand, which is located on the north side of the White House). The NPS works directly with the Presidential Inaugural Committee (PIC), issuing permits to the PIC for use of the National Mall from 1st Street westward to 14th Street. Under the PIC's direction, military bands, floats and other parade participants assemble on the National Mall before joining the inaugural parade. The PIC will also establish a news media center where it will credential news media covering the event. This event has been declared a National Special Security Event (NSSE) and the United States Secret Service is serving as the lead federal law enforcement agency. The United States Park Police will be fully supporting this historic event. The goal, working in conjunction with numerous participating agencies, is for a seamless security plan that will create a safe and secure environment for President-elect Obama and his family, other dignitaries, event participants, and the general public. Large crowds are expected for this historic event. The USPP and NPS have extensive experience dealing with events attracting large crowds, from the annual Independence Day celebration to the millennium New Year's celebration. Preparations include a comprehensive analysis of the security and logistical requirements for the event. A unified command will be established in conjunction with partnering public safety, emergency management, and transportation organizations. [Sgt. Robert Lachance, US Park Police]
On Monday, November 10th, three people were found guilty in DC Superior Court on a variety of charges stemming from a demonstration last spring and sentenced to incarceration, probation and court costs. On Saturday, April 19th, the Park Police handled a permitted demonstration on the Mall by the National Socialist Movement. The group had secured a special use permit to exercise their First Amendment rights. They planned to assemble on the grounds of the Washington Monument, then march to the Capitol for a rally. Counter-demonstrations were expected and a security plan was developed to minimize the possibility of violence between the permitted group and any counter groups. The Park Police coordinated extensively with the Metropolitan Police and the United States Capitol Police, since the event crossed jurisdictional lines. Prior to the arrival of the main group, a large group of counter-demonstrators arrived on the grounds of the Washington Monument wearing masks and attracting considerable attention. The group spotted two members of the permitted group and began verbally and physically assaulting them. Park Police officers responded to escort the two out of the area, at which point the counter-demonstrators surrounded the officers, then assaulted them with pepper spray. One counter-demonstrator also struck an officer across the back with a pole while he was attempting to arrest another of the counter-demonstrators. A total of six arrests were made, with charges of assaulting police officers and weapons offenses filed against them. Convicted were the following trio: M.B. was found guilty of two counts of assaulting an officer and attempted possession of a prohibited weapon (pepper spray). He was sentenced to 180 days in jail, with all but ten suspended on each charge (concurrent), a total of five years' supervised probation (consecutive), and court costs. J.R. was found guilty of assaulting a police officer, simple assault and attempted possession of a prohibited weapon (pepper spray). His sentence was identical to M.B.'s. S.V. was found guilty of assaulting an officer and attempted possession of a prohibited weapons (a piece of wood). She was sentenced to 180 days in jail, with all but 20 suspended, a total of 10 months supervised probation (concurrent), and court costs. [Sgt. Rob Lachance, US Park Police]
Park Police dispatch received a report of a missing teenage girl at Dupont Circle Park on the evening of May 22nd. The incident was deemed critical because the caller said that the girl was accompanied by a person who was wanted by the police on a child pornography charge. The caller had learned of the missing girl and her wanted companion from a story that appeared on a local news broadcast an hour earlier. Park Police officers located and arrested the man, who was wanted in Arlington County for child pornography violations. The girl was found shortly thereafter and taken to a Park Police facility to arrange for her return to Montgomery County. [Sergeant David Schlosser, Public Information Officer]
Spring has arrived in Washington, bringing both beautiful weather and several large First Amendment demonstrations. On Saturday, March 20th, a large group of demonstrators came to Lafayette Park and the White House to seek redress regarding the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. This group held a rally with speakers followed by a march around downtown Washington. After this march, they regrouped on the White House sidewalk to continue the event. When large numbers violated applicable sections of the Code of Federal Regulations specific to White House demonstrations, United States Park Police officers closed the center portion of the sidewalk. Subsequent to this closure, eight people were arrested for demonstration violations - four for failing to obey a lawful order and four for crossing a police line. Among those arrested for crossing a police line was Cindy Sheehan, a well known anti-war activist. The next day brought an even larger crowd to the National Mall, where the issue was immigration reform. This event lasted several hours, with many speakers and a culminating march off NPS areas to the bus staging site at RFK Stadium. One person was arrested for simple assault. The United States Park Police and its partners in the National Park Service managed both of these events well, permitting large numbers of people to exercise their Constitutional rights. [Sgt. David Schlosser, Public Affairs Officer]
With Inauguration Day just around the corner, National Park Service operations and preparations for the event are in full swing, with numerous NPS personnel from across the Service pitching in. The Service's Eastern IMT arrived on January 9th to support the NPS IMT for the 57th Presidential Inaugural, which is being led by incident commander John Stanwich, the deputy NPS liaison to the White House. The NPS IMT has been in place for months, planning and preparing for Inauguration Day. The Service has been directly involved in all inaugurals since President Franklin Delano Roosevelt took the oath of office in 1933 - a total of 20 inaugurations spanning 80 years. The role of the NPS in presidential inaugurations is primarily to provide logistical support, ensure the protection of park resources, and provide visitor services. The NPS works directly with the Presidential Inaugural Committee (PIC), issuing permits to the PIC for use of areas of the National Mall, Lafayette Square and Pennsylvania Avenue National Historic Site. Under the PIC's direction, military bands, floats and other parade participants assemble on the National Mall before joining the inaugural parade. This event has been declared a National Special Security Event (NSSE) and the Secret Service is serving as the lead federal law enforcement agency. The United Sates Park Police, NPS law enforcement rangers, and NPS emergency medical services providers will be fully supporting this event. Though the inauguration is certainly among the largest events handled by the National Park Service, it is only one of more than 3,000 permitted events held on the National Mall each year that range from small annual commemorations to the Fourth of July and large-scale First Amendment demonstrations. [Jenny Anzelmo-Sarles, Information Officer, 57th Presidential Inaugural IMT]
The National Capital Region incident management team for the Presidential Inauguration, led by John Stanwich, deputy NPS liaison to the White House, is almost at the finish line after more than a year of planning for the historic event. Numerous National Park employees from across the Service are pitching in. More than 500 staff and volunteers will be on hand on "Game Day" to ensure the best possible visitor experience and the protection of the cultural and natural resources on the National Mall and in President's Park. Making that happen are rangers, maintenance workers, Park Police officers (including their horse mounted patrol), permit monitors, EMTs, communications specialists and contract specialists, among others. The work takes an extraordinary amount of coordination, not only inside the NPS, but in working with a number of agencies, including the Secret Service, the DC Department of Transportation, the DC Metro Police, the US Capitol Police and Health and Human Services. This inauguration is only one of about 3,000 permitted events that take place on the Mall each year, all handled by the Permits Management Division at the National Mall and Memorial Parks. National Capital Region plays host to everything from the national Fourth of July celebration to the National Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony to say nothing of numerous First Amendment demonstrations. The National Park Service has been directly involved in all inaugurals since President Franklin Delano Roosevelt took the oath of office in 1933—a total of 20 inaugurations spanning 80 years. The role of the NPS in presidential inaugurations is primarily to provide logistical support, ensure the protection of park resources and provide visitor services. The NPS works directly with the Presidential Inaugural Committee (PIC), issuing permits to the PIC for use of areas of the National Mall, Lafayette Square and Pennsylvania Avenue National Historic Site. Under the PIC's direction, military bands, floats and other parade participants assemble on the National Mall before joining the inaugural parade. [Carol Bradley Johnson, Communications Officer]
The best of the National Park Service was on national display during the 57th Presidential Inauguration on Monday, January 21st. Hundreds of NPS staff and volunteers, under the direction of the National Capital Region's Inaugural Incident Management Team, operated like a well-oiled machine as they performed the innumerable tasks needed to keep thousands upon thousands of visitors safe and to protect the American public's parkland. Managing the inauguration and its associated events was a monumental task by itself, but was made even more challenging because Inauguration Day coincided with the Martin Luther King holiday and because of the need to protect the $16 million turf project recently completed on the Mall. Leading up to the inauguration, daily meetings were held to discuss operations and planning. National Park Service staff met and coordinated with the US Secret Service, the Capitol Police, the Presidential Inaugural Committee and many more agencies and groups. The tasks were myriad: Special use permits were negotiated and issued for use of the National Mall and Pennsylvania Avenue. Permits were also issued for First Amendment demonstrations. Permit monitors ensured that the requirements of the permits were met. Contracts were issued and supplies ordered. Interpretive staff created junior ranger programs and produced interpretive materials. Emergency medical services were arranged. The week before the inauguration, NPS maintenance employees and contractors installed 3,800 feet of chain link fencing, 17,000 feet of bike racks, and portable toilets at eight emergency medical service locations throughout the Mall. Public affairs staff were kept busy answering phones, conducting interviews, answering innumerable questions and updating the NPS inaugural website. Incident action plans were written and shared, and the NPS Eastern Type 2 IMT was brought in to support the NCR team. The inauguration and the inaugural parade were the finale to a jam-packed week on the Mall and in Presidents Park. The Martin Luther King holiday had a special significance for many of the visitors to the Mall not only because of it fell on the same day as the inauguration but because 2013 marks the 50thh anniversary of the March on Washington. A number of events took place at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial to honor the slain civil rights leader and another took place at the Lincoln Memorial. A wreath laying was held at the MLK Memorial on January 15th. On January 18th, 90 students from a Washington, DC, school recited the "I Have a Dream" speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, each child reciting one line. On January 19th, the inauguration's Day of Service, Secretary of Interior Ken Salazar joined volunteers to spruce up the memorial. And on January 20th, the NPS partnered on a ceremony that included Rev. Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson, Jamie Fox, Dick Gregory, and Chris Tucker. Director Jon Jarvis and Bob Vogel, superintendent of the National Mall and Memorial Parks, spoke at the ceremony and laid an NPS wreath at the foot of the massive carving of Dr. King amid a teeming crowd of visitors. On Inauguration Day itself, thousands of visitors leaving the Mall after the swearing-in ceremony took the opportunity to visit the Mall's newest memorial. Many visitors cited a HYPERLINK "http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EsNliKmyHc8&feature=youtu.be" welcoming video produced by the NCR that ran on the Jumbotrons on the Mall before the president's swearing-in for encouraging them to visit the memorial. This year, the NPS completed a project to rebuild several of the grass panels on the National Mall, one of the most prominent historic landscapes in Washington, DC. The project included installing not just lush green turf, but handicap accessible granite curbs, engineered soil to resist soil compaction, and the installation of drains and large underground cisterns to collect storm water. The construction fences for the project came down just days before the inauguration. In order to protect the new turf, the National Mall required that it be protected from damage by laying down protective panels from Third to Eighth streets. Each panel was elevated above the grass, held up by a few round feet that distribute the weight evenly. The panels not only allow water to flow through it, but are translucent so the turf continues to get sun while the panels are down. The inauguration was one of the largest events on the Mall, but was only one of the large scale events that are regularly handled by the staff of the National Capital Region, who daily prove that the National Park Service is up to the task of maintaining, protecting and interpreting the America's national treasures. Congratulations to incident commander John Stanwich and his team. [Carol Bradley Johnson]
On the afternoon of Wednesday, February 27th, the U.S. Park Police Aviation Unit responded to an 'officer down' call in nearby Alexandria, Virginia. A motorcycle officer there had been shot while making a traffic stop in the Old Town section of Alexandria. The assailant then drove away, leaving the officer lying in the street. Eagle 1, the Park Police helicopter, was on scene within minutes and flew the wounded officer to a local hospital, where doctors treated him for life-threatening injuries. Meanwhile, officers from several jurisdictions, including the Park Police, pursued the assailant and apprehended him after he crashed his vehicle. The officer remains in critical condition in the hospital. [Paul Brooks, Public Information Officer]
On February 3rd, T.A., 29, of Waldorf, Maryland, was sentenced to 12 years in prison followed by eight years of supervised release for distributing cocaine base and being a felon in possession of a gun. Between April 14, 2011, and January 30, 2012, ATF and U.S. Park Police agents made eight controlled purchases of cocaine base from T.A., totaling 308.8 grams. T.A. received a total of $11,000 for the drugs. The drugs were sold in different locations in Prince George's County, Washington, D.C., and Oxon Hill, Maryland, including on National Park Service lands. On June 6, 2013, a search warrant was executed at T.A.'s residence. Agents seized a pistol. T.A. had previously been convicted of a felony and was prohibited from possessing a gun. The United States Attorney praised the Park Police, ATF, DEA and FBI for their work in the investigation. [United States Attorney's Office, District of Maryland]
The park has informed the organizers of "Catharsis on the Mall" that a permit will be issued for their event, which is to take place on the Mall from November 10th to November 12th, and that the placement of more than 30 temporary structures in support of the event have also been approved. But the NPS found that "some proposed structures would be inconsistent with established resource protection guidelines and the public's use and enjoyment of the National Mall." These elements, including the "R-Evolution" statue and a memorial temple, were therefore not approved as part of the pending public gathering permit. R-Evolution, a 45-foot-tall statue of a nude woman, has been the subject of a number of recent media accounts. According to an article in the New York Times, "the sculpture was created for the Burning Man festival in 2015 but was being repurposed for a gathering in Washington...that seeks to bring about social change. Organizers had planned to install it over six days in November and leave it there until March." Sources: News release, National Mall and Memorial Parks; news story with photo, New York Times.
A New York man who reportedly planned to build a 200-pound bomb and detonate it on Election Day on the Mall was arrested last week. On October 10th, P.R., 56, of Tappan, N.Y., was charged in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York with unlawfully manufacturing a destructive device and with interstate transportation and receipt of an explosive. The FBI said that he'd planned to use the bomb to kill himself and gain attention for a political belief called sortition, in which politicians are chosen at random for office instead of being elected. In August and September, P.R. sent text messages and letters to someone in Pennsylvania telling of his plans to detonate a bomb on the Mall. On Tuesday, October 9th, the FBI raided his home in Rockland County and found a workable bomb in his basement. Agents also found empty black powder canisters and a fusing system that could trigger an explosive. Agents said they think that P.R. was acting alone in the alleged plot. Source: Washington Post.
As of today, the government has been shut down for 26 days, a new record for shutdowns. The huge sign that appeared recently on the side of the federal building in San Francisco about sums up the perspective of federal workers regarding this ongoing fiasco — "Sorry, We're Shut Down. Tantrum In Progress." Here's a summary of media stories about its impacts on the national parks that have appeared over the past week, grouped under four headings. Washington (DC) Parks — The NPS has announced that it's resuming maintenance services in Washington-area parks, including the National Mall, George Washington Memorial Parkway and Rock Creek Park. It will also reopen several bathrooms at sites around the Mall. The Service has not collected trash, worked on roads, or attended to sanitation services since the shutdown began. The money is coming from fee revenues "from national parks across the country." Source: Mikaela Lefrak, WAMU News.
Common Dreams — This one will warm your heart. GSA has found the funding to reopen the Old Post Office Tower in Washington, D.C., a unit of the National Mall that shares a building with Trump International Hotel. "The Trump administration is using your tax dollars to keep an NPS site at his luxury hotel open while the rest of Americans are wading through garbage and locked gates," wrote Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-NJ) on Twitter. "The corruption and disgrace of this government are without bottom." Source: Common Dreams.
President's Fourth Of July Event To Continue — Despite concerns about the spread of coronavirus, President Trump said last week he is planning to hold another Fourth of July celebration on the National Mall this summer, reported DCist.com, quoting the president's comment at a coronavirus task force briefing a few days ago: "On July 4, we'll be doing what we had at the Mall. We're going to be doing it. Last year was a tremendous success, and I would imagine we'll do it, hopefully I can use the term 'forever.' That was a great success." Trump said that this year attendees will most likely still be following social distancing guidelines— standing six feet apart or more—and noted that attendance could be down to as little as 25 percent of last year's.
The National Park Service has joined other federal agencies in taking steps to assure that the inaugural set for next Thursday is free from the kind of insurrectionist disruptions and violence seen last week at the Capitol. The Washington Monument will be closed through January 24th and other NPS facilities around D.C. will be temporarily closed due to "credible threats" from groups involved in the January 6th Capitol invasion. The park released a statement on Monday that said, in part: "[The] the National Mall and Memorial Parks is implementing temporary closures of National Park Service public facilities, parking areas and roadways in response to credible threats to visitors and park resources. Groups involved in the January 6, 2021 riots at the US Capitol continue to threaten to disrupt the 59th presidential inauguration on January 20, 2021. This includes the set up and execution of inaugural events, which occur in several park areas. In response, the National Park Service will suspend tours of the Washington Monument beginning January 11, 2021 through January 24, 2021 and may institute temporary closures of public access to roadways, parking areas and restrooms within the National Mall and Memorial Parks if conditions warrant, to protect public safety and park resources." D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser wrote a letter Sunday requesting that the United States Department of Homeland Security boost its security preparations for the January 20th presidential inauguration to ensure the safety of those involved in the event. She also asked that the Secretary of the Department of the Interior cancel any and all public gathering permits in D.C. and to deny any applications for public gathering permits between January 11th and January 24th. Last week, the NPS announced that protest applications for inauguration week are coming in and, by law, they can't be denied unless they pose a clear specific threat. Source: KOMO News.
"Federal agencies are taking drastic measures to keep employees safe with the looming threat of violence surrounding President-elect Joe Biden's inauguration, including by hosting additional federal security personnel and even telling some workers to evacuate their homes," reports Government Executive. "Following the violent insurrection at the U.S. Capitol last week, federal offices in the Washington area and around the country are cautioning workers, many of whom are already working remotely due to the COVID-19 pandemic, to stay away, effective immediately." In an unprecedented move, the Mall and much of the surrounding area have already been closed to the public. Hundreds of thousands of spectators typically watch the ceremonies, but this year the Secret Service has launched a massive security operation to protect the Biden inauguration following this month's short-lived insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. Vehicle traffic in much of the city will be prohibited or limited to residents and businesses only. Metro is shuttering stations in the city's core and near the Mall. Street closures will continue through Thursday, and are subject to change at the discretion of the Secret Service. Maps in the Washington Post (click here) provides further details on closures. As noted in last week's newsletter, the Washington Monument will be closed through January 24th and other NPS facilities around D.C. will be temporarily closed due to "credible threats" from groups involved in the January 6th Capitol invasion. The park released a statement on Monday that said, in part: "[The] the National Mall and Memorial Parks is implementing temporary closures of National Park Service public facilities, parking areas and roadways in response to credible threats to visitors and park resources. Groups involved in the January 6, 2021 riots at the US Capitol continue to threaten to disrupt the 59th presidential inauguration on January 20, 2021. This includes the set up and execution of inaugural events, which occur in several park areas. In response, the National Park Service will suspend tours of the Washington Monument beginning January 11, 2021 through January 24, 2021 and may institute temporary closures of public access to roadways, parking areas and restrooms within the National Mall and Memorial Parks if conditions warrant, to protect public safety and park resources." Sources: Lauren Tierney, Tim Meko, Hannah Dormido, Laris Karklis and Joe Fox, Washington Post; Eric Katz, Government Executive.
Below are short follow-ups on incidents previously reported in this newsletter. National Mall — The fortress of fences and barricades that took over downtown Washington for Inauguration Day is being dismantled, but remnants of a heightened security presence will remain in the nation's capital far beyond the tense transition of power. The D.C. National Guard will remain on standby until January 30th as part of an ongoing effort to present an enhanced posture to deal with the threat of white extremism in the city. The city is working with the U.S. Secret Service and the Biden administration to evaluate security tactics and strategies, such as whether all joint sessions of Congress should be designated National Special Security Events. Source: Emily Davies, Michael Brice-Saddler and Peter Hermann, Washington Post.
On April 22, a 50-year-old set himself on fire in front of the Supreme Court in protest against global climate change. A National Park Service helicopter responded to the incident and airlifted the individual to a nearby hospital. The individual passed away from injuries sustained in the incident on the following day. Source: New York Times
On March 24, the NPS announced to the deputy mayor for the District of Columbia Health and Human Services its decision to evacuate unsheltered encampments at Union Station/Columbus Circle due to "imminent threats to public health and safety." The NPS stated that it would work closely with the deputy mayor and other agencies to ensure the well being of the individuals involved, and would give at least 14-days written and verbal notice. They are expected to begin moving people out at the beginning of May. Source: WJLA June 15, 2022 The first cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza in Washington, DC has been confirmed after more than a dozen ducklings died at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool on the Mall. Though the virus is not easily transmitted to humans, visitors may unwittingly transfer the virus between groups of birds, particularly via their shoes. The NPS is asking visitors to report sick or dead birds. Source: The Washington Post September 7, 2022 On August 24, the NPS removed homeless encampments at Reservation 70 (Massachusetts Ave and 9th St NW) and Reservation 175 (K St and 9th St NW) due to threats to public health and safety. Park staff intend to rehabilitate turf, clean the area, and remove a rodent infestation. The area is closed by temporary fencing while the area is restored. Source: WUSA9 February 8, 2023 Signs were recently placed at McPherson Square, notifying individuals living in the park, that the area will be vacated of inhabitants by mid-April. The NPS later announced that they are moving the clearing date up to February 15 due to a request by the Washington, D.C. Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services, who stated that recent crime and drug issues have created dangerous conditions for social workers and mental health specialists. There are currently over 70 tents in McPherson Square, making it the largest encampment in Washington, D.C. In the past year, there have been 30 arrests by U.S. Park Police and three drug overdoses at the site. The District has said that they will stage a bus at the site to provide case management, address residents' concerns, and distribute warm clothing and hypothermia supplies. The NPS has previously stated that it plans to clear all unsheltered individuals from NPS lands in Washington, D.C., by the end of the year. Source: WJLA, DCist February 8, 2023 On January 31, the U.S. Park Police arrested a 61-year-old suspect in connection with an April 2021 crash in East Potomac Park that killed two pedestrians. The individual was charged with negligent homicide. Source: United States Park Police February 22, 2023 On February 13, several dozen individuals arrived at the U.S. Department of the Interior to protest the planned evacuation of unhoused people from McPherson Square, scheduled for February 15 (see February 8, 2023 Coalition Report). Individuals were concerned about the risks the closure put on people during "hypothermia season." The forced removal was enacted on February 15, as planned. Social workers, volunteers, and nonprofit employees helped unhoused individuals pack their belongings and any abandoned items were cleared by the NPS. The removal was said to be "peaceful." Source: WTOP, NBC Washington
On June 14, an NPS truck crashed through a guardrail and came to a stop while dangling over, and partially submerged by, the Potomac River near the intersection of Ohio Drive and Buckeye Drive in East Potomac Park. The driver was able to self-extricate and was unharmed. A tow truck and DC Fire and EMS responded. The cause of the accident has not been released. Source: NBC Washington
A beaver or group of beavers have damaged at least 15 cherry trees at the Washington Tidal Basin near the Jefferson Memorial. The NPS has stated they have no plans to remove beavers from the area and that some attrition of the basin's 1,700 trees occurs each year due to environmental factors. The sea wall on the south end of the basin is low and collapsing and is in the process of being replaced, starting in May 2024. This will prevent beavers from entering the area in the future. Source: The Washington Post
On May 16, the NPS and "D.C. agencies" removed six encampments of unhoused individuals due to safety concerns, such as fires, traffic collisions, assaults, and rodents. Three of the locations were NPS parks: San Martin Memorial Park, Rawlings/Wittman Parks, and 16th and L Streets NW. About 70 people were displaced. Volunteers with Miriam's Kitchen and the National Homelessness Law Center helped support the displaced individuals. Source: NBC Washington
On July 3, several food trucks were towed from 14th Street and Constitution Avenue, Northwest, along the National Mall, for operating in unauthorized areas. Source: WJLA
On July 24, demonstrators gathered at Columbus Circle to protest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's visit to Washington, D.C. Protestors vandalized fountains, statues, and walkways with graffiti related to the ongoing war in Gaza. They also tore down three U.S. flags and set them on fire. The protests also "caused delays in transit" due to blocking some of the entrances to Union Station. "At least 15 people" were arrested in connection with the incident. On July 30, the U.S. Park Police posted pictures of individuals who assaulted an officer and vandalized property, looking for any information the public can provide. The protest's permit to demonstrate was revoked. Park staff erected metal barriers around Columbus Circle and have been working quickly to clean and restore the area. Source: WTOP, U.S. Park Police
On September 13, a 20-year-old was arrested for vandalizing property during protests against Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's address to U.S. Congress on July 24 (see 8/7/24 Coalition Report). The individual was recorded on video spray painting graffiti on a fountain in front of Union Station and on two flagpoles in Columbus Circle. The individual faces one charge of willfully injuring or depredating federal property. Source: Manistee News Advocate
Artwork that was permitted by the NPS to be displayed at Freedom Plaza was destroyed by two individuals. The artwork, molded to look like a tiki torch, was meant to parody comments by President Donald Trump in the wake of a white supremacist march in Charlottesville, Virginia in 2017. One individual, 34-years-old, was detained and arrested for felony property destruction for using a skateboard to damage the artwork. A small bag of drugs was found on the individual during the investigation. Another individual with a skateboard escaped the scene. Source: NBC Washington
On June 21, a vehicle went "joyriding" down the pedestrian area of the National Mall, causing about $10,000 in damage and causing several visitors to fear for their safety. The incident was recorded on camera by a visitor. The driver fled the area. Officers connected the vehicle's owner, who was later arrested and denied driving on the Mall. The individual was charged with destruction of federal property, assault with a dangerous weapon, disorderly conduct, fleeing from law enforcement in a motor vehicle, reckless driving, and operating a vehicle off-road in a way that damaged protected land. Under the conditions of the individual's release, they are not allowed to drive any motor vehicles, must avoid the National Mall, and are required to wear a GPS monitor with a curfew between 9 PM and 5 AM. Their next court appearance is July 17. Source: WUSA9 (6/30, 7/3)
A permitted art installation on the National Mall depicting President Donald Trump holding hands with deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein was removed by the NPS representatives at 5:30 AM on September 24, four days before the end of the NPS permit. Video footage of the removal captured an NPS staff member saying the statue was not compliant because "it is too big." It was taken to a government warehouse. The permit says that it can be revoked if 24 hours written notice is given to the permittee, though the permitee stated that they did not receive advance notice, and that the art was damaged in the removal process. The Department of the Interior told media that it was removed for noncompliance with the permit, but did not specify. The permitee said in subsequent interviews that the permit had been approved by local staff, but overridden by the deputy director of the NPS, and that they were also told that the deputy director instructed local staff to never issue another permit to them again. Source: USA Today, WUSA9
On October 3, the U.S. Park Police cleared out a protest encampment outside Union Station occupied by a group called FLARE ("For Liberation and Resistance Everywhere"). They had been stationed there for 24 hours per day since May. A statement by the Department of the Interior said that "the permitted event violated the terms of their permit." Source: CBS6 Albany
On October 2, the art installation depicting President Donald Trump holding hands with Jeffrey Epstein was reinstalled after being abruptly removed by NPS staff on September 24 (see 10/1/25 Coalition Report). The artists said that after it was removed, they applied for and received a second permit to install the statue, but it was revoked by phone "without explanation" the day it was to be installed. A third permit was approved, allowing the reinstallation. Source: National Public Radio
On February 13, two Washington, DC, residents sued the Department of the Interior for its efforts to overhaul the East Potomac Golf Course, arguing it violates its congressional mandate to make the park for the recreation and pleasure of the people and did not follow the National Environmental Policy Act for assessing impacts. Source: NBC Washington
On March 23, eight architecture and preservation organizations filed a lawsuit against many parties, including the National Park Service, for the announcement of a $200 million renovation of the Kennedy Center. The plaintiffs argue that the move will "fundamentally alter this property without complying with bedrock federal historic preservation and environmental laws, and without securing the necessary Congressional authorization." Source: Wallpaper
A sinkhole recently appeared under the National Mall near the Washington Monument. Park crews are working on repairs, which are expected to continue through the end of April. Source: WUSA9
On May 4, an armed individual was observed just south of the White House near the Washington Monument when a motorcade with Vice President JD Vance passed through. The Secret Service approached the individual, who began running away and firing shots at them. Secret Service agents fired back and hit the individual, who was arrested and taken to the hospital with multiple gunshot wounds. A 15-year-old bystander was also shot and treated for a non-life-threatening gunshot wound. Several streets in the area were shut down for several hours for the investigation. Source: The New York Times
Debris from the White House ballroom project that has been dumped on the East Potomac Park Golf Course has tested positive for lead, chromium, and other toxic metals, according to data published by the NPS. The data, which was collected by a consultant, shows "relatively low levels of these contaminants," and the Interior Department has stated that "the soil was tested, multiple times by multiple parties, and this project passed all standards set by law." All samples meet Environmental Protection Agency standards, though some argue that "there is no safe level of exposure to lead." Source: The New York Times
On May 17, over 30 gallons of fuel leaked from commercial generators at an event called "Rededicate 250: A National Jubilee of Prayer, Praise, and Thanksgiving" on the National Mall. The fuel seeped into underground cisterns that collect rainwater to irrigate the Mall. Representatives from the organization Freedom 250 said the incident was the result of vandalism. The NPS and Freedom 250 began a cleanup response and are remediating the site with support from contractor Lewis Environmental, and the incident is under investigation. Source: NBC News
round June 10, the numbers "86 47" were marked in the grass on the National Mall. The numbers show as brown grass, and it is unclear what substance was used to kill it. "86 47" is a reference to "86" (get rid of) the 47th President (Donald Trump). The U.S. Park Police is investigating the vandalism, including taking samples of the grass for testing. Source: ABC News On June 20, President Donald Trump claimed that individuals "put a 250 foot long gash" into the reflecting pool at the Lincoln Memorial with "some form of knife or blade" and "poured corrosive and destructive chemicals into the pool." On June 22, the Trump administration stated they had arrested five individuals and cited five more for vandalism at the pool. One of the arrested individuals stated that after hearing about the peeling coating, they went to touch it, and were arrested. On June 22, President Trump called it a "350-foot slit" that was cut with a "box-cutter or a knife of some kind." He also suggested that fertilizer had been added to the pool, increasing the algae. Charges for the arrests have not yet been announced. Source: NBC News, ABC News, CBS News
According to an official statement filed in an ongoing lawsuit about the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool (see "Legal Actions" above), on June 9, the U.S. Park Police responded to a complaint that the liner of the pool had been cut with a sharp knife or razor. In a separate incident, 70 fence post tops were also thrown into the pool. The agency stated that they did not announce the incident publicly sooner as to not encourage further damage. On June 19, an individual was recorded on camera kneeling down into the pool and removing something from the water. On June 24, the U.S. Park Police released video of the individual, asking for any information the public can provide regarding the incident. As of June 25, seven people had been arrested, seven citations issued, and 18 police reports filed related to vandalism at the pool. On June 28, President Donald Trump said the pool will be drained right after July 4 to treat the damage "caused by these 'animals.'" Source: WDBJ, U.S. Park Police (X), KATV
On July 16, after a Washington, DC, reporter from City Cast DC, published evidence that two rare documents signed by former President Abraham Lincoln were stored in improper conditions in an exhibit in the new Undercroft museum, they were removed from public display. The City Cast DC reported NPS employees stating that the screens designed to protect the documents from light have been defective and temperatures in the display case have repeatedly reached levels above 80 degrees Fahrenheit, putting the documents at risk of damage. The Undercroft was closed for most of the day, and the documents were replaced with replicas. The NPS has stated that they will return the documents to the exhibit when the heat wave has passed. Source: NBC Washington, Yahoo!news
On July 8 and 9, four individuals all pleaded not guilty to charges for allegedly damaging the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. On July 10, the NPS again drained the pool to repair the alleged vandalism of the new liner and "clean up the fireworks stuff." Source: Los Angeles Daily News
On July 27, a court filing in the case against one individual accused of damaging the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool was made public, showing that an NPS staff witness testified that the area of the pool liner was already damaged prior to the suspect's presence at the site. The court filing also indicated "irregularities that reflect a misleading presentation to the grand jury" in the case. The suspect has pleaded not guilty, saying that they merely touched a floating piece of the liner in the pool. On July 31, the Department of Justice moved to dismiss the criminal case, acknowledging the damage to the reflecting pool "was the result of flawed installation by the contractor." They claimed they only learned of the evidence pointing to the "rushed and flawed installation process" during the indictment by a grant jury. The pool's renovation had been rushed due to the desire to have it completed before the 250th anniversary of the United States on July 4. On August 1, President Donald Trump said he disagreed with the decision, and continued that it was vandalism that damaged the pool. Interior Department Secretary Doug Burgum also stated that vandals have "repeatedly caused damaged" to the pool. On August 3, the federal government dropped charges against the other three individuals accused of damage to the pool. Source: The Guardian, ABC News, National Public Radio
On August 7, the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool was partially refilled to flush out what the NPS called clogged pipes. A sign was posted nearby stating that more than half of the 58 supply ports were "deemed nonfunctioning" due to "years of neglect by previous administrations." The NPS has stated that the flushing may temporarily discolor the water as buildup is cleaned out. Source: ABC7
On August 13, the World War II Memorial was marked with spray paint graffiti and the fountains were filled with soap, creating large amounts of foam. The incident was reported by bystanders. The individual later recorded a livestream video in which they acknowledged defacing the property. The individual was indicted on August 14. NPS personnel removed the paint and soap. Source: The Dallas Express
On August 9, President Donald Trump acknowledged "some contractor error done by rushing the job for a July 4th opening" at the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool. He still claimed vandalism was involved in the liner's disintegration. Source: USA Today
On August 16, President Donald Trump posted a photo of the grassy area on the National Mall near the World War II Memorial, appearing patchy and brown. He called the area vandalized, even though the area recently hosted large events for the July 4 celebration, including a large bandstand and seating areas. Photos from the days that followed the events showed brown, damaged grass underneath. Source: PBS News | |