ARLINGTON, Va. — Leaders are offering more details on stepped-up security at Arlington National Cemetery and about why the changes are happening now.
In recent weeks, the public safety aides who directed traffic outside the main entrance have been replaced by armed officers, and signs now direct pedestrians to the welcome center for screening. Security has also been enhanced at the cemetery’s three other pedestrian entrances.
While visitors are currently subject to random screenings and checks with hand-held metal detectors, the full screening procedures are still being rolled out, with the goal of having them in place and streamlined before the number of visitors spikes in the summertime.
Chief William Johnson, who oversees police at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall and at Arlington National Cemetery, says the security process will be similar to screening procedures at Smithsonian museums on the National Mall.
“So everybody will come through, they’ll come through a magnetometer,” he said. “If you have a bag, your bag will go through some security screening.”
Leaders here say the Army had ordered overall security increases following deadly shootings at a Tennessee Naval Reserve center in 2015 and at Canada’s National War Memorial in 2014, and that the latest changes are part of ongoing security efforts.
“At the end of the day we’re prepared for any type of incident,” Johnson said.
Also among the changes: people driving into the cemetery will have to show a valid photo ID, although no ID is required to use the visitors’ parking garage.
Dave Kammen, who oversees security as the cemetery’s director of events and ceremonies, said officials will be taking a “balanced, common sense” approach to allow for expedited screening of large groups, and that funeral attendees who come through the welcome center will be given expedited screening as well.
Because of the changes, visitors will be asked to budget extra time and avoid bringing any large bags. About 3 to 4 million people visit Arlington National Cemetery each year.
