Heightened Security in Washington, D.C., for NATO Summit

Washington, D.C., has implemented heightened security measures in anticipation of the 2024 NATO Summit, with fencing, barricades, and road closures cordoning off parts of the city. Law enforcement officials are prepared for potential crime threats and demonstrations, while the city's youth curfew aims to curb juvenile crime during the event.

As world leaders gather in Washington, D.C., for the 2024 NATO Summit this week, unprecedented security measures have been implemented to ensure the safety of attendees and prevent potential crime threats. Fencing, barricades, and road closures have transformed the city's downtown area into a secure zone.

The heightened security is a collaborative effort involving a range of local and federal law enforcement agencies. These include the U.S. Capitol Police, U.S. Marshals, and Metro Police for the city of Washington. The summit has been designated as a National Special Security Event (NSSE), which involves the Secret Service, FBI, and Federal Emergency Management Agency taking primary responsibility for safety, security, and emergency management.

Heightened Security in Washington, D.C., for NATO Summit

Mike Verden, a former Secret Service agent and founder of Lake Forest Group, believes Washington, D.C., is exceptionally well-equipped to handle the security challenges posed by the summit. "With Washington, D.C., you have a number of different local and federal law enforcement agencies. ... You have the U.S. Capitol Police, you have the U.S. Marshals, you have the Metro Police for the city of Washington," he told Fox News Digital.

Units from the Washington, D.C., National Guard are also being deployed to assist with security. Verden, who helped plan security for the NATO Summit in Chicago in 2021, explained that the conference involves extensive physical security measures, including special ID badge checks, military vehicles blocking road access, and temporary flight restrictions.

Heightened Security in Washington, D.C., for NATO Summit

Former Washington, D.C., homicide detective and Fox News contributor Ted Williams described the heightened security as a necessary inconvenience to ensure the safety of visiting world leaders. "The last thing we need is an international incident that embarrasses our country hosting the NATO convention here in the District of Columbia," Williams told Fox News Digital.

Intelligence gathering plays a crucial role in assessing risk and allocating resources for security purposes. "Based on the intelligence, they're going to come up with a risk profile. Based on the risk profile, they may ask for additional assets such as National Guard or more manpower or stricter flight restrictions. It's driven by intelligence," Verden explained.

Heightened Security in Washington, D.C., for NATO Summit

One emerging threat of particular concern is the potential for demonstrations, especially those related to conflicts involving Israel and Hamas, or Ukraine and Russia. Law enforcement officials are prepared to respond to any demonstrations that could turn violent.

In addition to security concerns related to the summit, the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is also focused on combating juvenile crime. The department has implemented a youth curfew from midnight to 6 a.m. until August, with juveniles facing disciplinary consequences if caught unsupervised outside of these hours.

Heightened Security in Washington, D.C., for NATO Summit

While curfews are not unfamiliar in Washington, D.C., MPD's staffing shortages may hinder enforcement. "There is a law enforcement shortage not only in Washington, D.C., but all over the country ... and that's going to be one of the most difficult problems ... because there are many exceptions to the D.C. curfew," Williams said.

Juveniles are disproportionately represented among suspects in violent crimes, and the curfew aims to reduce their involvement by keeping them off the streets during peak crime hours. However, Williams cautioned that enforcing the curfew may be challenging due to the limited number of law enforcement officers available.

Heightened Security in Washington, D.C., for NATO Summit

Despite ongoing efforts to address crime, statistics show a decrease in both violent and property crime in Washington, D.C., since last year, with an overall 17% reduction in crime rates according to MPD statistics.