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Obama's Three-Hour Visit Draws Security, Traffic Concerns
By
Christopher Robbins
Published May 4, 2011
Modified May 4, 2011
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By
Christopher Robbins
Published May 4, 2011
Modified May 4, 2011
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As he prepares to visit Ground Zero (without President Bush) tomorrow, the Daily News reports that President Obama will meet with first responders before heading down to Ground Zero to lay a wreath and speak privately with family members of the victims of 9/11. The President will be at the site for "about three hours."
As always, security is a concern, so "mailboxes and garbage cans along the motorcade route will be removed" and "manhole covers may be welded shut." Besides a "major uniformed police presence," there will be plenty of plainclothes officers and "sharpshooters will be patrolling the rooftops." After spending enough time in DC, we can confirm that said sharpshooters are pretty eerie.
Naturally this can't be good for commuters, especially those (un)lucky enough to take the PATH. However, given the brevity and the nature of the visit, we doubt we'll hear any grumbling from The Post about this trip. Just remember to lock your bike as far away from the motorcade route as possible.
Tagged
9/11
barack obama
ground zero
Motorcades
Preside Obama
september 11
Sharpshooters
Christopher Robbins
Christopher Robbins is a New York City reporter covering transportation, affordable housing, local politics, and criminal justice. His work has also appeared in New York Magazine, The Village Voice and The New York Times. Chris is a graduate of Patrick Henry High School in Roanoke, Virginia, and enjoys biking to Fort Tilden in the summertime.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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