President's Park (White House) |  |
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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August 7, 1987 Location: 1700 blk. of Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Washington, D. C. At approximately 0703 hrs. on Friday, August 7, 1987 US Park Police Officer R. Woods while operating his motorscooter in the 1700 blk. of Pennsylvania Avenue NW (adjacent to the White House Area), was approached by an individual who advised him that he was being chased by an unidentified subject with a knife. The officer observed the individual brandishing the knife and attempted to intercede. In doing so the subject came at the officer with the knife (described as a hunting type knife). The officer repeatedly advised the subject to put the knife down and back off. The subject (unidentified at this time) refused to do so and continued to come at the officer. Woods drew his revolver and shot the individual in the side. Subject was taken to George Washington Hospital, and as of 0845 hrs. has been described as being in fair condition. Charges of Assault, and Assault on Police Officer are being filed against the perpetrator. Additional information regarding this incident is unavailable at this time. A thorough investigation into this matter is currently being conducted.
Location: 16th Street Oval Secret Service agents arrested A.Z. for attempting to enter an unauthorized area while on a White House tour. They asked the Park Police to find and search A.Z.'s car. The car, which was located at the 16th Street oval near the White House, was found to contain cans connected by wires to a toggle switch on the car's dashboard. The area was closed off and the DC police bomb squad was brought in. They determined that the cans contained gasoline and were not connected to anything that would cause them to ignite. A.Z. was taken to a city hospital for observation.
Location: 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. A U.S. Park Police field commander attempted to stop a vehicle that had been racing back and forth in front of the White House. During the stop the suspect vehicle rammed the field commander's car and sped away; the officer pursued. Near the Watergate Hotel the suspect vehicle collided with three other vehicles and continued. The officer struck a vehicle at the same location, causing minor damage (no injuries) and was unable to continue pursuit. The suspect vehicle was spotted by Park Police Officer Jerom Stoudamire as it proceeded west on Route 66 into northern Virginia. Stoudamire followed the vehicle to Bull Run Park, near Manassas, where he confronted the three occupants of the vehicle. At this time the operator of the vehicle attempted run Stoudamire down with the vehicle. Stoudamire fired three shots with no apparent effect. The occupants fled on foot. Stoudamire was uninjured. The vehicle has been impounded and Park Police and Fairfax County officers are investigating.
At 7:30 on the morning of February 17th, approximately 135 demonstrators associated with the "Committee for a Free Guatemala" began demonstrating on the sidewalk in front of the White House. Ten of the demonstrators chained themselves to the White House fence. Park Police officers removed them, placed them under arrest and charged them with disorderly conduct. The remainder of the group continued to demonstrate until 8:30, then dispersed without further incident.
On April 7th, approximately 100 persons protesting the visit of President-elect Alfredo Christiani conducted a demonstration near the White House. Seven of these demonstrators were arrested by the Park Police for blocking Christiani's motorcade, disorderly conduct and assault on a police officer. All remaining demonstrators disbursed after being ordered to do so by Park Police officers. (RAD/NCRO).
On the morning of the 15th, the Washington Area Labor Committee on Central America and the Caribbean engaged in an act of civil disobedience at the northwest gate to the White House. The committee had obtained a permit to hold a demonstration in front of the White House, and about 30 demonstrators rallied there at 9 a.m. that morning. Eighteen members of this group then sat down in front of the gate. Their permit was revoked, for violation of its terms, the protestors were warned to disperse, and all 18 were arrested for demonstrating after revocation of their permit when they subsequently failed to comply with the dispersal order. They were transported to the USPP facility in glec, where they were processed and released, with citations for their violations. (CompuServe message from Capt. Dave Blackburn, RAD/NCRO, 10:45 EST, 12/18).
At about 7:40 p.m. on the 22nd, officer Katherine Heller, a two-year veteran of the Park Police, received a report of an assault which had just occurred in Lafayette Park. A description of the assailant was broadcast. Officer Scott Dahl, also a two-year veteran of the Park Police, was nearby and soon encountered a person meeting that description. Dahl approached the man, and a struggle ensued. During that struggle, the assailant managed to gain control of Dahl's weapon. Heller, who was coming to Dahl's aid, saw the assailant brandishing the weapon and ordered him to drop it. When he refused to do so. Heller shot and fatally wounded him. The assailant was transported to George Washington Hospital, where he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival. Both Heller and Dahl were taken to Washington Hospital Center, treated for minor injuries and released. The incident is currently under investigation by the USPP homicide branch; no further details are available at this time. (CompuServe message from Capt. Dave Blackburn, RAD/NCR, 8:15 a.m. EST, 2/23/90).
An anti-war demonstration was conducted by 15,000 protesters outside the White House on the 19th. City police arrested eight protestors, including two for blocking a city street. Park Police officers arrested one man for setting an American flag on fire. He was cited for having an open fire. [United Press International report, 1/19]
We have instituted this section in the morning report in order to keep you posted on security advisories and incidents associated with the war in the Mideast and will maintain it as long as circumstances warrant. Contact Major Jack Schamp with any relevant information. Washington - Park Police officers arrested about 60 antiwar demonstrators outside the White House on the evening of the 22nd. They were charged with protesting without a permit after remaining stationary in a zone designated for walking protests. Reminder: Please advise us through your regional offices of all threats received, permits issued for demonstrations, and demonstrations or incidents which occur which are related to the war in the Gulf. Reports should be submitted as soon as possible; there is a very high degree of interest in such activities in the Department and among other governmental agencies. Call Major Schamp at FTS 268-4209 (202-208-4209).
Just after 2 a.m. on October 26th, uniformed Secret Service officers heard several gunshots from their guard booth near the Old Executive Office Building and found a male suffering from several gunshot wounds seated in a car parked along the street. A dark-colored sedan was seen leaving the area at a high rate of speed. Park Police officers responded along wih city detectives and an ambulance. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene. Park Police and city detectives are investigating. [RAD/NCRO, 10/27]
Just after midnight on Saturday, January 9th, the 22-year-old male driver of a Nissan sports car failed to stop at a traffic light at the intersection of Madison Place and Pennsylvania Avenue, crossed the avenue and the White House sidewalk, struck a large flower pot, then crashed into the White House's northeast gate. Park Police officers arrested the driver and charged him with multiple traffic violations, including driving while intoxicated. He and his male passenger received minor injuries in the accident, but refused medical treatment. Although the gate was damaged, it remained operable. The incident was clearly a motor vehicle accident and not an attempted intrusion into White House grounds. [Lt. James Wayland, USPP, 1/10]
Just before 11 a.m. yesterday morning, nine members of the Frazer Memorial Methodist Youth Choir of Montgomery, Alabama, became ill from heat stress when exposed to high temperatures while performing on the Ellipse. The choir, which is made up of girls between the ages of 14 and 17, was participating in a volunteer music program in which groups entertain visitors while they wait in line for the White House tour. Four of the girls were unconscious and had to be revived by park rangers; all nine were taken to Georgetown Hospital by the six city ambulances which responded. They were held for observation, then released later in the day. At the time of the incident, the group had been singing for about 40 minutes. Although the audience bleachers are shaded by the roof, the stage has none. The park hopes to get the choir members back for the tour of the White House that they had to miss because of the emergency. [Earl Kittleman, PA, NCRO, 7/13]
An estimated crowd of at least 9,000 people watched last night as the President and Mrs. Clinton lit the national Christmas tree. This was the 80th such lighting, and President Clinton's first. The ceremony opened the park's Pageant of Peace, which will continue through January 2nd. About 45 rangers and 55 to 60 US Park Police officers worked the event. There were no incidents. [Mel Poole, Manager, PRPA, 12/10]
Early yesterday evening, President and Mrs. Clinton signalled the opening of the 1994 Christmas Pageant of Peace by turning on the more than 10,000 lights of the National Christmas Tree at the Ellipse in President's Park. The ceremony was the culmination of months of effort by over 100 NPS employees, the Pageant of Peace Committee, and members of the United States Secret Service and Park Police. [Mel Poole, Park Manager, 12/8]
Just after 2 a.m. on Saturday, December 17th, Park Police officers on patrol in the Ellipse on the south side of the White House heard the sound of gunshots in that area. Secret Service police officers combed the south lawn of the White House and found three bullets; a fourth was found to have penetrated a window of the State Dining Room. All bullets were 9mm. No suspects have yet been identified. On Tuesday, December 20th, Park Police officers shot and wounded M.C., who was brandishing a knife on the sidewalk along Pennsylvania Avenue on the north side of the White House. M.C. had charged across the avenue with the knife taped to his hand and had reportedly threatened an officer shortly before the confrontation. Reports also indicate that M.C. had prior convictions in California for armed robbery and assault with a deadly weapon. [Capt. Marvin Ellison, RLES, RAD/NCRO, and Associated Press reports, 12/19-20]
A bomb threat was received at the White House visitor center at 8 a.m. on September 9th. The building was evacuated. Dogs were used to search the building. Nothing was found, and the center reopened around 10:30 a.m. [Mel Poole, NCP]
On the afternoon of December 30th, Park Police officers arrested 17 members of a group called the Atlantic Life Community for conducting a demonstration on the White House sidewalk. Members of the right-to-life group laid down in a restricted zone and poured blood on themselves and the sidewalk. They were charged with violating the restricted zone and defacing government property. Hazardous materials precautions were utilized during the arrest and clean-up. [Bill Lynch, LES, NCAO]
On September 13th, a California-based group of demonstrators assembled on the White House sidewalk to protest the administration's recent decisions on gay and lesbian rights. The size of the group exceeded the maximum limits permitted by regulation for assembling without a permit. Park Police officers warned them and ordered them to disperse, but they refused. Nine people were arrested for demonstrating without a permit. [Bill Lynch, LES, NCSO]
A parade honoring the 125th anniversary of the city's fire department was held on September 22nd. Park staff and Park Police officers provided logistical support for the event, which included over 150 engines and other apparatus. Five field area firefighters participated with a wildland type 5 engine supplied by Prince William Forest. The parade entered the park on Constitution Avenue and ended with engines parked on display around the Ellipse in front of the White House. [Don Boucher, FMO, NCSO]
The tenth annual Aids Walk, headed by Vice President Gore's wife "Tipper," took place on October 6th. The march began on the Ellipse, the park area directly south of the White House. A crowd of about 20,000 people gathered there to hear speakers. NPS rangers and Park Police officers worked with city police and the Secret Service to handle dignitary protection and logistics. [Mel Poole, Manager, PRPA]
On Monday, November 25th, "Tipper" Gore participated in the placing of the top ornament on the national Christmas tree. This signals the beginning of preparations for the lighting of the tree by President Clinton on December 5th. [Margaret Chandler, PRPA]
President Clinton lit the national Christmas tree during the annual "Pageant of Peace" ceremony on the Ellipse on the evening of Wednesday, December 5th. Logistics for the evening program were coordinated by the NPS (50 rangers, 46 Park Police officers, and 34 volunteers) and the Secret Service. [Margaret Chandler, IO, PRPA]
President and Mrs. Clinton hosted the annual Easter egg roll on the south lawn of the White House on March 31st (White House grounds are administered by the NPS). Over 25,000 colorful wooden eggs were distributed to children attending the traditional event. Activities were held on both the Ellipse and on the south lawn. Logistics for the event were coordinated by the White House, the NPS and the Secret Service. [Margaret Chandler, IO, PRPA, 4/1]
Representative B.F. (D-CA) and 15 Philippine-American World War II veterans were arrested by Park Police officers on July 26th after they chained themselves to the White House fence as part of a demonstration in support of benefit payments for Filipinos who fought for the United States during that war. The San Diego legislator and the veterans were cited under CFR regulations and released after paying $50 fines. [Bill Lynch, RLES, NCRO, 7/28]
On Monday, August 4th, 13 people from the group "Democracy First" were arrested by Park Police officers on the White House sidewalk and charged under CFR with permit and demonstration violations. The defendants were released after processing. [Bill Lynch, RLES, NCRO, 8/8]
On August 22nd, Park Police officers arrested 15 members of the American Coalition for Filipino Veterans after they chained themselves to the White House fence. All were charged with demonstrating without a permit and released following processing. [Bill Lynch, RLES, NCRO, 8/25]
On the afternoon of Tuesday, November 11th, Park Police officers arrested 64 people, most of them in wheelchairs, after they chained themselves to the White House fence during a demonstration to promote legislation for the disabled. The protesters, members of Americans Disabled for Attendant Programs Today, were charged with demonstrating without a permit and were released following processing. About 350 disabled people staged a sit-in at the Rayburn House Office Building on Capitol Hill on Monday, November 10th. [Bill Lynch, RLES, NCRO, 11/12]
On the afternoon of December 5th, 25 protestors from People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) took part in a demonstration on the White House sidewalk to protest the use of leg-hold traps. Five members of the group were arrested by USPP officers after they discharged red paint onto the sidewalk. The five were charged with defacing government property and demonstrating without a permit. [Bill Lynch, RLES, NCRO, 12/7]
A display on the Ellipse depicting the Islamic star and crescent moon - part of the "Pageant of Peace" celebration - was vandalized over the weekend. Vandals removed the star from the display and painted a crude, red swastika on one side of the wooden star. The star was then abandoned near the display. Park Police officers are investigating the incident as a hate crime. This is the first year that an Islamic display has been placed alongside Christian and Jewish symbols on the Ellipse. [Bill Lynch, RLES, NCRO, 12/29]
A group identified as the Atlantic Life Community held an unlawful demonstration on the White House sidewalk on Tuesday, December 30th. Members poured a blood-like liquid onto the walkway. USPP officers arrested 20 members of the group for demonstrating without a permit; two of them were also charged with destruction of government property. The city's hazmat unit responded and cleaned up the liquid from the sidewalk. [Bill Lynch, RLES, NCRO, 1/5]
Pro-life demonstrators gathered on the Ellipse on January 22nd to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the 1973 Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion. The group rallied on the Ellipse, then marched up Constitution Avenue to the Capitol and the Supreme Court building. "Refuse and Resist," a New York-based abortion rights group, held a small counter-demonstration near the Ellipse. There were no significant incidents. [Bill Lynch, RLES, NCRO, 1/23]
On the afternoon of February 12th, 250 members of Dorothy Day Catholic Workers and the Atlantic Life Community conducted a demonstration on the White House sidewalk to voice their opposition to any proposed bombing of Iraq. The group engaged in civil disobedience and was found in violation of demonstration regulations. Park Police officers arrested 25 members of the group for demonstrating without a permit and another person for crossing a police line. All 26 were processed and released. [Bill Lynch, RLES, NCRO, 2/13]
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 August 12th, a citizen told two Park Police officers on patrol near the White House that a man was standing nearby on the sidewalk, holding an apparent weapon to his throat. They found a 26-year-old man making slashing motions to his throat with a screwdriver; blood was seen on his neck. They asked him to stop. He stopped making the slashing moments and dropped the screwdriver. First aid was provided, and he was taken to a city hospital with flesh wounds to his neck. He was admitted for mental observation. [Henry Berberich, RLES, NCSO, 8/18]
On December 16th, between 150 and 200 demonstrators assembled on the north side of the White House to protest the bombing of Iraq. Some 60 to 80 demonstrators sat down on the center portion of the White House sidewalk in violation of regulations. Park Police officers closed the sidewalk and warned the demonstrators of the violation. Most left the area, but eight were placed under arrest. [Henry Berberich, RLES, NCSO, 12/21]
On August 7th, the American Nationalist Party, a South Carolina-based group that is "dedicated to the establishment of an Aryan homeland," planned to march from James Monroe Park at 20th and I Streets NW down Pennsylvania Avenue to Lafayette Park, capping a three-hour event with a rally outside the White House. Several opposition groups also planned rallies in response to this demonstration. A group called D.C. United to Stop the Nazis had planned to meet this group at James Monroe Park, and Shalom International, a Jewish activist group, planned to demonstrate in Lafayette Park. These events generated a good deal of media interest. The Park Police responded with a total force commitment from National Capital Region and brought in additional support from the New York Field Office. This commitment included cancellation of days off and leave. Shortly before the scheduled start of this event, the American Nationalist Party canceled their demonstration. Shalom International conducted its scheduled rally in Lafayette Park without incident. Another peaceful "respect rally" was held at the Lincoln Memorial. [Sgt. R. MacLean, USPP, NCR, 8/10]
On Tuesday, January 11th, an NPS employee was verbally threatened by a man while working at the park. The employee notified USPP officer Russell Fennelly, who responded and placed T.O. under arrest. While in custody, T.O. kicked Fennelly numerous times and had to be forcibly restrained. T.O. was charged with threats, assaulting a police officer, and possession of drug paraphernalia. [Sgt. R. MacLean, USPP, NCR, 1/28]
On October 18th, the park was the site of the issuance of a new postage stamp commemorating the 200th anniversary of the White House as the official residence of the president (John Adams was the first resident). The ceremony was held at the park's visitor center and was attended by the postmaster from Washington, the chief usher at the White House, and other dignitaries. Ranger Steve Perlman from Independence NHP portrayed President John Adams. "Pershing's Own," the U.S. Army band, provided music, and the NPS honor guard presented the colors. [Phil Walsh, CR, WHHO, 10/19]
President Clinton delivered his Christmas message to the nation and lit the national Christmas tree for the eighth and final time in his administration before a packed audience on the Ellipse on the evening of Monday, December 11th. Other than the cold weather, the ceremony went smoothly. [Phil Walsh, CR, PRPA, 12/12]
On Sunday, January 21st, President and Mrs. George W. Bush held their first special event in the White House, then opened the doors for public tours between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m., concluding inaugural festivities. The White House is traditionally not opened for public tours on Sundays or Mondays. Tickets for each individual, regardless of age, were required. People accordingly began lining up as early at 7:30 p.m. the day before at the White House VC. Even though snow fell throughout the night and temperatures dropped substantially, hundreds of enthusiastic people were not deterred from joining the line and waiting for more than 10 hours to secure a ticket. A total of 3,900 persons attended the special event and public tours. Rangers at President's Park managed the public tour ticketing and the visitor line for both the special event and the tours. The events went well; there were no incidents. [Rachel Frantum, Park Manager, 1/23]
R.P. of Evansville, Indiana, approached the south side of the White House, armed with a handgun, just before 11:30 a.m. on February 7th. Park Police, Secret Service and Metro Police Department officers responded. While brandishing the handgun, R.P. pointed the weapon variously at himself and at officers. An officer from the Secret Service's Uniformed Division fired a single shot from his weapon at R.P., striking him in the leg. R.P. was taken into custody without further incident and transported to George Washington University, where he was treated for non-life-threatening injuries. R.P. was released from the hospital on February 13th; after being formally processed by the Park Police, he was remanded to U.S. District Court for arraignment. The incident is being jointly investigated by the Park Police, Secret Service and FBI. [Sgt. R. MacLean, USPP, NCR, 2/15]
On February 7th, R.P. of Evansville, Indiana, approached the south side of the White House, brandishing a handgun. R.P. pointed the weapon variously at himself and at officers. An officer from the Secret Service's Uniformed Division fired a single shot from his weapon at R.P., striking him in the leg. R.P. was taken into custody without further incident and transported to George Washington University, where he was treated for non-life-threatening injuries. Picket was released from the hospital on February 13th; after being formally processed by the Park Police, he was remanded to U.S. District Court for arraignment. On July 31st, R.P. is scheduled to plead guilty to assaulting a federal police officer and carrying a pistol without a license. Upon acceptance of this plea agreement by the court, R.P. could be sentenced to three years in prison and three years of intensive supervised probation. Detective sergeant Timothy Moser of the USPP Criminal Investigations Branch has dedicated many hours to investigating this incident and has been instrumental in ensuring a successful prosecution. The incident was jointly investigated by the Park Police, Secret Service and FBI. [Sgt. R. MacLean, USPP, NCR, 7/9]
On September 8th, 19 members of the Christian Defense Coalition were arrested without incident on the White House sidewalk. They were part of a larger group taking part in a stationary demonstration within a restricted portion of the sidewalk. After being given three verbal warnings to leave the area, the 19 refused to depart and were arrested. Each will be charged with a violation of a regulation in 36 CFR which prohibits stationary demonstrations within the restricted zone of the sidewalk. [Sgt. R. MacLean, USPP, NCR, 9/10]
National Park Service personnel systemwide are responding in many ways to the terrorist attacks yesterday on Washington and New York. Here's a summary, as of 11 a.m. today: o US Park Police/National Capital Region - The Park Police have been placed on a heightened state of alert and have increased security and patrols around all monuments and memorials. They were evacuated and will remained closed indefinitely. These closures are precautionary; no specific threats have been received. All personnel have been recalled and placed on 12-hour plus tours of duty. The chief's command post (CCP) was put into operation shortly after the second plane crash at the World Trade Center and prior to the plane crash into the Pentagon. As these events were occurring, USPP officers were called upon for emergency assistance by numerous agencies, including federal, state and local governments. They were called upon to evacuate key members of the Department of Interior, including Secretary Norton and her staff and Director Mainella. They also assisted the Secret Service with escorts for President Bush and Secretary Powell. The Aviation Unit provided primary aerial LE support to the Park Police and Virginia law enforcement ground units at the Pentagon and emergency medical transportation for victims at that location. The Secret Service requested full-time helicopter LE support for the White House grounds and escort coverage. The Secretary of Interior asked for the use of the Eagle helicopter for evacuation of staff from DOI; however, due to priority medevacs and commitment to presidential protection, that request could not be fulfilled. At the request of DOI's Office of Managing Risk and Public Safety, members of the USPP SWAT team provided escorts to a secure location for the secretary's staff. USPP officers also escorted the director and took her and her staff to a secure location. Due to the volume of emergency incidents occurring throughout the Washington metropolitan area (closure of the government; road, train and bridge closures; suspicious package/activity calls; etc), USPP put an emergency action plan into effect, which included the call-in of off-duty personnel, 12-hour shifts, and procurement of food and water. Officers responded to many incidents, including suspicious packages and vehicles; assisted the FBI with crime scene support; assisted the Pentagon's child care center with a group of stranded children evacuated from the building; and cleared the entire core monument area of pedestrians and vehicles. Road and pedestrian closures and increased patrols were put into effect and continued throughout the day. Some remain in effect. Other units were deployed to the White House and the Ellipse. Requests for assistance from federal agencies continued throughout the day and was provided when available. The Counter Terrorism Unit played a pivotal and unique role in the dissemination of information and coordination of the Park Police response to critical incidents. Working with the FBI's Counter Terrorism Task Force and Metropolitan PD, officers provided evacuation information, dispelled rumors, and coordinated crime scene assistance. Departmental staff also solicited information from members of this unit and employed them to communicate with the FBI. The ability of USPP to access this type of information during this critical time significantly improved the coordination of emergency services and the safe evacuation of DOI personnel and visitors. [Bob Martin, RCR, NER, 9/12; Einar Olsen, RCR, NCR, 9/12; Sgt. R. MacLean, USPP, NCR, 9/12; Dennis McGinnis, Type 1 team, SHEN, 9/12; Dennis Burnett, RAD/WASO, 9/12]
Today's update on the NPS response to the terrorist attacks follows. The only sites listed are those where there are new developments to report. The status of other parks remains as previously reported: o White House (DC) - The White House visitor center remains open, but White House tours have been suspended indefinitely. Attached are two digital photos provided by Lt. John Marigliano from the Park Police's New York contingent. [Debee Schwarz, Type 1 IMT, WASO, 9/16; Paul Pfeninger, Type 2 IMT, NERO, 9/16]
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 White House - The visitor center is open, but White House tours have been suspended indefinitely.
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, including the brokering of numerous requests for operational support. The Service's Type 1 IMT (Eddie Lopez, IC) continues its operations from the South Interior Building; the Type 2 East Team (Bob Panko, IC) is overseeing the NPS expanded dispatch operation at Shenandoah NP. Here's a current report on the status of parks affected by this incident: o President's Park - White House tours have been suspended indefinitely. The Ellipse is closed. The visitor center is open. [EICC/Type 2 IMT, SHEN, 9/27; Kris Fister, NPS Type 1 IMT, WASO, 9/28; Pat Buccello, CISM Team, 9/28; Billy Garrett, Superintendent, Jamaica Bay Unit, GATE, 9/27]
Per order of the White House, flags are to be lowered to half staff
today in honor of Bob Hope. They are to return to full staff at
sunset.
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.
On Saturday, November 29th, an elderly man waiting in line to visit
the White House suffered a heart attack. Ranger/EMT Skip Miller and
Secret Service staff responded, restoring his heartbeat with the
assistance of an AED. The White House staff doctor then took charge of
the patient. The man was taken to George Washington University Hospital,
where full recovery is expected.
On Saturday, October 2nd, Park Police officers dealt with protestors who were demonstrating in the area during International Monetary Fund and World Bank meetings and with a group called the Iraqi Pledge of Resistance, which had a permit to march from Arlington National Cemetery to the Ellipse to protest the war in Iraq. Members of the latter held a rally at the Ellipse at the end of their march. At the conclusion of the rally, the demonstrators expressed an interest in delivering a message to President Bush, so crossed over an outer perimeter fence on the Ellipse and sat down in an expression of nonviolent civil disobedience. After receiving a series of warnings to leave the closed area, 28 of
them were arrested and taken to Anacostia Station, where they were
processed and later released.
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]
On the afternoon of Friday, November 30th, Park Police officers handled a large demonstration in Lafayette Park. During the event, a number of the demonstrators crossed over to the White House sidewalk and began conducting non-violent civil disobedience. After being given several warnings to desist, their permit was revoked. Officers then arrested 40 demonstrators who failed to obey a lawful order to leave. The demonstration later ended without incident. [Sergeant Robert Lachance, USPP Public Affairs Officer]
On Monday, February 27th, Park Police officers arrested seven demonstrators on the White House sidewalk for demonstrating without a permit. They then made another 15 arrests on Wednesday, March 1st, for the same violation. In both cases, demonstrators were given three warnings to cease and desist their protests. After the warnings, those remaining on the sidewalk were arrested and charged with demonstrating without a permit. In each case, all of the demonstrators were processed and released later on the same day. [Sergeant Scott R. Fear, United States Park Police]
On Friday, June 22nd, United States Park Police officers dealt with a large group of demonstrators who were permitted for Lafayette Park. At one point, members of the group attempted to block an entrance to the White House, but officers were successful in pushing back the demonstrators to clear the entrance. The demonstration later ended without further incident. On Saturday, June 23rd, another large demonstration occurred at the White House. The demonstrators on the White House sidewalk began to engage in non-violent civil disobedience, so the Park Police revoked their permit, and, after giving several warnings to disband, made 16 arrests. [Sergeant Robert Lachance, Public Information Officer]
On Friday, February 20th, Park Police officers were assigned to a large demonstration in President's Park. This demonstration involved participants from two groups concerned with issues in Sri Lanka. Both groups received permits to demonstrate on the Ellipse and in front of the north side of the White House. With conditions unstable in Sri Lanka at the time of the demonstration, including military action between both parties near Sri Lanka's capital city of Colombo, the Park Police recognized the need to allow all parties to exercise their rights while preventing passions from disrupting the peaceful event. A significant force commitment of SWAT teams, mounted officers, intelligence officers, and uniformed patrol officers was able to guarantee that all parties desiring to express their viewpoints were able to do so safely. No arrests or significant incidents occurred during this event. This operations was supported by personnel from the Washington, DC, Metropolitan Police Department, who handled activities related to the event that occurred off National Park Service jurisdiction, and by staff from the Secret Service and the District of Columbia Fire Department. [Sgt. David Schlosser, US Park Police]
Park Police officers made 172 arrests during a series of demonstrations at the White House in the last week of April. These large demonstrations involved non-violent civil disobedience and required a significant personnel commitment from USPP units, including the patrol unit, the SWAT team, the motorcycle and horse mounted units, and criminal investigations. On April 27th, officers arrested 91 people; on April 29th, another 20; and on April 30th, 61 more. The April 27th arrest situation was unusual in that almost all of those arrested were disabled people in wheelchairs. Because of the unseasonably hot weather, the District of Columbia fire department assisted in the processing by providing continuous monitoring of the arrestees to assure that no one, including officers, suffered from any heat-related illnesses. [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]
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 night of December 21st, Secret Service and Park Police officers responded to the park, which is located on the north side of the Ellipse, after a man began climbing the National Christmas Tree at around 5:45 p.m. The man made it between 15 and 20 feet off the ground prior to coming down on his own accord. Two negotiators convinced him to leave the tree at about 7 p.m. He was subsequently taken to a hospital for evaluation. Source: Washington Times.
On April 18, a toddler crawled between the gaps in the fence on the north side of the White House. The child's parents were on the other side of the fence on Pennsylvania Avenue and were unable to retrieve them. An alarm went off and Secret Service officers were able to reunite the child with their parents. Source: ABC 10 News
On May 22, U.S. Park Police and U.S. Secret Service Uniform Division officers responded to the 1600 block of H Street NW, adjacent to Lafayette Park, for reports of a truck that appeared to intentionally crash into bollards at the park. The driver, a 19-year-old, was arrested and charged with assault with a dangerous weapon, reckless operation of a motor vehicle, threatening to kill/kidnap/inflict harm on a president, vice president, or family member, destruction of federal property, and trespassing. Source: U.S. Park Police
More details have been released about the May 22 intentional car crash into bollards at Lafayette Square (see 5/24/23 Coalition Report). The vehicle was a 26-foot U-Haul truck. After crashing into the bollards twice, the driver removed a Nazi flag from a backpack. After arrest, the individual praised Adolf Hitler and said that they "aimed to "kill the President" in order to overthrow the government and put himself into power. The individual said they had been planning the attack for six months. The individual is currently being held in custody without bail and has not yet entered a plea. Source: CNN
On July 22, two visitors reported break-ins to their vehicles and stolen items in the East Beach Area. On August 9, two individuals were caught on camera making fraudulent transactions using stolen credit cards associated with those victims at a business in Redding, California. The business caught images of the the individuals and their vehicle, which have been released to the public. The NPS is looking for any information the public can provide. Source: KRCR
On November 26, the National Christmas Tree fell over due to strong winds. It had recently been brought in from the Monongahela National Forest in West Virginia to replace the planted tree on-site that has traditionally been the National Christmas Tree because it had succumbed to needle cast (see 11/29/23 Coalition Report). White House staff utilized a crane to right the 40-foot tree and fixed a snapped cable. The National Christmas Tree lighting ceremony took place as planned on November 30. Source: The New York Times, AP News
On May 13, a 20-year-old pleaded guilty to one count of willful injury or depredation of property of the United States for an attempted attack on the White House in a rented U-Haul truck in May 2023 (see 5/24/23 and 6/7/23 Coalition Reports). The crash caused $4,322 in damage to the National Park Service and over $50,000 in damage to U-Haul International. No one was hurt in the incident. The individual stated that they had hoped to have President Joe Biden killed and replaced with a dictatorship based on the ideology of Nazi Germany. The individual will be sentenced on August 23. Source: CNN
On June 8, during Gaza cease-fire protests in Lafayette Park, several sculptures were damaged with graffiti. The following day, park staff spent time repairing the damage with power-washers and paint remover. Source: The Washington Post
On December 14, an individual attempted to climb "temporary anti-scale fencing near the White House." The individual was spotted by the Secret Service Uniformed Division and was quickly taken into custody before they were able to breach the fence. The individual was charged with unlawful entry. Source: Daily News
On January 16, a 20-year-old was sentenced to eight years in prison and three years of supervised release for an attempted attack on the White House with a rented U-Haul truck in May 2023 (see 5/29/23 Coalition Report). They pleaded guilty on May 13, 2024, to willful injury or depredation of property of the United States. Source: WFIN
On March 26, a toddler slipped through the White House north fence. Officers from the U.S. Secret Service observed the incident and quickly reunited the child with their parents. Source: KMPH
On September 5, a journalist from Real America's Voice asked President Donald Trump about the presence of a pro-peace demonstration that has been staged around the clock outside the White House since 1981, calling it "anti-America sometimes, anti-Trump at many times." On September 7, law enforcement dismantled the tent. The site's longest-serving demonstrator said that the incident was likely to end up in court. Source: The Guardian
Organization, filed a lawsuit seeking records about asbestos inspection and removal during the demolition of the East Wing of the White House. Source: Mesothelioma.net
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 | |