Capitol Police Seek Israeli Advice
Thursday, August 15, 2002
WASHINGTON —
Concerned about the threat of suicide bombings at the Capitol, police officials plan a trip to Israel this fall to learn about stopping and responding to attacks.
U.S. Capitol Police Chief Terrance Gainer said Thursday that the Capitol remains vulnerable to an attack, despite heightened security following Sept. 11.
"We are vulnerable to, because this is America, suicide bombers,'' he said, stressing he has seen no reports of planned attacks. "We have to be better at prevention and response to that.''
Gainer plans to lead a delegation of six to 12 high-ranking officers and bomb squad members to meet with their Israeli counterparts in October. "They're the experts at it,'' he said.
New security measures already in place include ending tourists' ability to wander unaccompanied through the Capitol and sealing off the terrace on the Capitol's West Front — and its unrivaled sunset view of the Mall — because of the proximity to the offices of House and Senate leaders.
Police also have restricted truck traffic on the streets near the Capitol and are installing pop-up barriers on Independence Avenue, which forms the southern border for the Capitol grounds. Police cruisers also idle at key points in the area to intercept suspicious vehicles.
Gainer met with Israeli police officials who visited Washington in the spring. At the time, he was Washington's deputy police chief. In June, he assumed command of the Capitol force, which is responsible for protecting members of Congress and the Capitol complex.
Gainer said an important part of the consultations in Israel will be learning ``how you share with the community what we're doing and what they need to know so that we don't create a sense of panic.'
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