02-27-2009, 03:22 PM
Security tight for presidential visit
February 26, 2009 - 5:54 PM, by LINDELL KAY
Protecting President Barack Obama during his visit to Camp Lejeune Friday will be a cooperative local and federal law enforcement effort, the Secret Service said.
"We rely greatly on local law enforcement because they know the area better than we would, obviously," said Secret Service spokesman Malcolm Wiley.
Secret Service agents with the Wilmington field office have been in Jacksonville working with local law enforcement, base officials, the base Provost Marshal's Office and representatives from the President's Protective Division for the last few days, Wiley said.
"They will come up with the best security plan for Camp Lejeune," he said.
Since the base is a secured area and the event will not be open to the general public, Camp Lejeune offers some advantages in shielding the president, but Secret Service agents are "confident of the level of protection, regardless of the venue," said David Robey, resident Secret Service agent in charge of the Wilmington Field Office. "We have prepared a 360-degree circle of protection for the president that will be able to handle any problem or threat."
Air Force One will arrive at Cherry Point Marine Corps Air Station on Friday morning. From there the president will most likely be transported to Camp Lejeune via helicopter, according to law enforcement officials familiar with the security plan.
The president is scheduled to speak at 11:45 a.m. at Goettge Memorial Field House on McHugh Boulevard.
Robey said the security plan takes into account all possible situations, including inclement weather. Onslow County Sheriff Ed Brown said his deputies may be involved in an escort, if needed.
The Naval Criminal Investigative Service will "provide a security detail to augment the Secret Service," said Paul Ciccarelli, special agent in charge of NCIS field offices in North and South Carolina.
NCIS would not comment on the investigation of a former Camp Lejeune Marine indicted Wednesday on charges he threatened the life of Obama while he was president-elect.
Cody Brittingham was attached to the 2nd Marine Division at the time the alleged threats are said to have been made, but was discharged from the Marine Corps last month, military officials said.
He is being held in the Onslow County Jail with a bond of $40,500 on charges of attempting to rob a Jacksonville hotel.
February 26, 2009 - 5:54 PM, by LINDELL KAY
Protecting President Barack Obama during his visit to Camp Lejeune Friday will be a cooperative local and federal law enforcement effort, the Secret Service said.
"We rely greatly on local law enforcement because they know the area better than we would, obviously," said Secret Service spokesman Malcolm Wiley.
Secret Service agents with the Wilmington field office have been in Jacksonville working with local law enforcement, base officials, the base Provost Marshal's Office and representatives from the President's Protective Division for the last few days, Wiley said.
"They will come up with the best security plan for Camp Lejeune," he said.
Since the base is a secured area and the event will not be open to the general public, Camp Lejeune offers some advantages in shielding the president, but Secret Service agents are "confident of the level of protection, regardless of the venue," said David Robey, resident Secret Service agent in charge of the Wilmington Field Office. "We have prepared a 360-degree circle of protection for the president that will be able to handle any problem or threat."
Air Force One will arrive at Cherry Point Marine Corps Air Station on Friday morning. From there the president will most likely be transported to Camp Lejeune via helicopter, according to law enforcement officials familiar with the security plan.
The president is scheduled to speak at 11:45 a.m. at Goettge Memorial Field House on McHugh Boulevard.
Robey said the security plan takes into account all possible situations, including inclement weather. Onslow County Sheriff Ed Brown said his deputies may be involved in an escort, if needed.
The Naval Criminal Investigative Service will "provide a security detail to augment the Secret Service," said Paul Ciccarelli, special agent in charge of NCIS field offices in North and South Carolina.
NCIS would not comment on the investigation of a former Camp Lejeune Marine indicted Wednesday on charges he threatened the life of Obama while he was president-elect.
Cody Brittingham was attached to the 2nd Marine Division at the time the alleged threats are said to have been made, but was discharged from the Marine Corps last month, military officials said.
He is being held in the Onslow County Jail with a bond of $40,500 on charges of attempting to rob a Jacksonville hotel.