Local security officials remained on high alert Sunday during the 10th anniversary of 9/11, with all 3,800 D.C. police on the streets for the weekend and police in surrounding counties patrolling Metro stops and ceremonies. Police hunted for two stolen vans around D.C., worried that they might be the vehicles chosen to deliver the “credible, specific threat” that federal officials warned of Thursday. The two U-Haul vans were stolen in Prince George’s County; authorities said three more trucks were missing in New York City.
But Prince George’s County police found one of the vans about 9:40 p.m. Saturday night, abandoned near the 900 block of Marcy Ave in Oxon Hill. Police said they’re still investigating who stole the vans and why.
At Washington Dulles International Airport, authorities evacuated several gates near Concourse B about 4:30 p.m. Saturday when a bomb-sniffing dog indicated problems with a group of packages about to be put on board a plane. Airport officials brought in a group of bomb technicians, X-ray equipment and another bomb-sniffing dog before determining the packages were safe about 8:30 p.m. The investigation did not cause very many delayed flights, Metropolitan Washington
Airports Authority spokesman Rob Yingling said, because they were able to shift flights to other gates.
Fans at the Nationals and Redskins games went through extra security checks Sunday. The Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms was on site at FedEx Field, and the Prince George’s County Police Department had K-9 units on hand to sniff bags and planned sweeps throughout the game. Pat-downs and bag checks were more diligent than usual, and some fans were asked to empty their pockets.
At Nationals Park, fans could only enter the stadium through a limited number of gates and underwent more extensive bag checks than usual. Law enforcement officials conducted random vehicle searches in most parking areas near Nationals Park, and bus dropoff and pickup points were pushed farther away from the ballpark. Despite pitching phenom Stephen Strasburg taking the mound Sunday, security measures meant the majority of fans were not in their seats until moments before the first pitch at 1:07 p.m.
Secret Service agents monitored events at the Pentagon on Sunday, where President Obama and Vice President Biden spent time commemorating the anniversary. Authorities shut down routes surrounding the Pentagon, including parts of Interstate 395, Route 110 and Washington Boulevard, backing up traffic on alternate routes around Arlington.
But local residents were out and about Sunday, not worried about safety. In Lafayette Square, a bride arranged her veil, posing for her wedding pictures, while Secret Service agents blew whistles to keep people off nearby Pennsylvania Avenue, facing the White House.
Visitors to D.C. said they felt safe.
“I think people are now more cautious and are better-prepared,” said 32-year-old Silver Spring resident Arun Eswaran. “I think more precautions have been taken about potential things that could happen.”
Craig Stouffer, Scott Silverstein and Liz Farmer contributed to this report.
