Washington - Tight security in the District surrounding next week's massive inaugural event has convinced some locals to stay home on the big day.

Sybil Hayes said she was thrilled when Barack Obama (web | news | bio) was elected. But even though she has lived in the D.C. area for four decades, she won't be among the crowd to watch him sworn in. For her and many others in the area, the unprecedented security measures are making an in-person viewing of the inaugural untenable. "With them closing everything, that makes it hard for anybody to even try to come. I think it's discouraging, at least for me it is."

Spectators who do attend need to be aware of the restrictions on parking, transit and highway travel. Archives/Navy Memorial is one of four Metro stations that will be closed for the inauguration, and spectators are warned that they should expect to walk. Another resident, Fran McPoland, says that the closing of the nearest Metro station to the event will bar her from making the trip. "I just did a knee replacement," she explains. "I don't think I could do that walking this year."

President Bush (web | news | bio) has declared a "state of emergency" in the District for Inauguration day, a designation which will secure federal funds to pay for the blockades, air support and checkpoints necessary to secure a crowd that could swell to the millions.

"I think it might frighten people, yes, because, I mean, Hurricane Katrina was a 'state of emergency'," said one District woman. Another added, "I thought that was overkill, but because it's for money, that's different, but that sounds so horrible."

On the other hand, some agreed with the designation, like the District man who noted, "We haven't seen crowds like this before, so maybe it is prudent."

The unprecedented crowds -- expected to easily top a million and perhaps even two -- constitute grounds for heightened security measures, regional leaders argue.

The possible dangers associated with the massive numbers of visitors range from violence or terror attacks to the possibility that members of the crowd will be crushed or suffocated by the mass of people.

White House spokesman Scott Stanzel says District of Columbia Mayor Adrian M. Fenty requested the emergency declaration last week because he decided that the crowds expected for the inauguration of Obama will exceed the city's ability to protect the public.

If the extra money is needed, it will come from the Federal Emergency and Management Agency budget.

The police presence for the event will be more than double the usual Metropolitan police force: 3,800 D.C. police officers will be joined on the streets by 4,100 law enforcement officers from other jurisdictions and 7,000 members of the National Guard. 4,000 more National Guard members will be stationed in Virginia and Maryland. Four dozen police agencies will play a role in keeping the peace on the big day. 

District resident Fran McPoland highlights the positive side of the inauguration madness. "I'm just glad that everybody's pulling together to make this a success, so I'm really excited. I'm more excited about the money that's going to be put back into the city with everything that's going on in the next two weeks."

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