Security Agencies Alter Strategies, Add Backup for Inauguration Week

The Federal Protective Service, which guards government buildings, will increase its staffing by 30 percent from the last inauguration, according to Brandon Montgomery, a spokesman for its parent agency, Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

The cost of all that security is not cheap. The Presidential Inaugural Committee had no estimate of the overall price tag, but the District believes it will spend $28 million on security for the events -- 60 percent more than its entire bill for the last inauguration. The D.C. government is asking Congress to increase the $15 million it has provided the city for such expenses.

Security planning began months ago, and officials tested some of their coordination and communication systems at the Group of 20 summit in Washington in November, said Chris Geldart, head of the D.C. area office for the Department of Homeland Security.

But the inauguration will feature some high-tech novelties.

One of planners' concerns is how to communicate with crowds in case of an emergency. Using a Homeland Security grant, the D.C. government is installing a $350,000 set of special loudspeakers, which use sonar technology, along Pennsylvania Avenue and the Mall, according to District officials. Dozens of prerecorded messages will be ready to play for the crowds.

"We're of course hoping that things go in such a way we don't need to use it," City Administrator Dan Tangherlini said.

Staff writers Aaron C. Davis and Ann Scott Tyson contributed to this report.