Two Security Scares Shut Down Streets Near White House

Two separate security scares shut down streets and sidewalks around the White House yesterday afternoon.

In one, a woman with a backpack climbed the fence surrounding the White House grounds, and in the other an unattended bag was found at 18th Street and New York Avenue NW, about two blocks from the grounds.

The woman was taken into custody after climbing the fence near the northeast corner of the grounds about 3:20 p.m. the U. S. Secret Service said.

Lafayette Square and Pennsylvania Avenue NW in front of the White House were closed for more than an hour while authorities determined that her pack contained nothing hazardous.

The D.C. Department of Transportation said the disruption at 18th Street had ended by 6 p.m.

-- Martin Weil