DHS Designates President Ronald Reagan Memorial Service As National Special Security Event

Be warned... it's likely that flying anywhere near DC, this week, is going to be even tougher than usual. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has designated all of the activities for former President Ronald Reagan’s Memorial Services as a National Special Security Event (NSSE).

A number of factors are taken into consideration when designating an event as a National Special Security Event including anticipated attendance by dignitaries and the size and significance of the event.

When an event is designated a National Special Security Event, the U.S Secret Service assumes its legally mandated role as the lead federal agency for the design and implementation of the operational security plan. Federal resources will be deployed to maintain the level of security needed for the event and the area.

The Secret Service is responsible for planning, directing and executing federal security operations at designated NSSEs and, together with state and local law enforcement partners, develops the overall security plan. In the Washington, D.C. area, the Metropolitan Police Department, the U.S. Capitol Police, the US Park Police and a number of other federal and local agencies will play an active role in securing this event. In California, a number of federal, state and local agencies will work together to secure the memorial activities.

The most recent NSSE in Washington, D.C. was the 2004 State of the Union Address. In 2004, the Sea Island G8 Summit, and both the Democratic and Republican National Conventions have previously been designated as NSSEs.

FMI: www.dhs.gov