Motorcades, Part 2: Neighborhoods at Risk

WASHINGTON - More than 1,300 federal motorcades travel through the streets of downtown D.C. every year, siphoning off dozens of police and paramedics from their assigned duties protecting neighborhoods.

According to document obtained by WTOP through the Freedom of Information Act, as many as 40 police officers at a time and 40 police cruisers are diverted from regular patrols to provide intersection control as caravans carrying the president, vice president and foreign leaders go through the nation's capital.

When the president travels by car add three paramedics and two emergency medical services vehicles to the mix. The District supports as many as three motorcades a day -- many on short notice -- making scheduling difficult for first responders.

A police spokesperson tells WTOP in an e-mail "We do attempt to "pull' people from non-patrol responsibilities to the extent possible. Of course, that isn't always possible ... especially if the movements are on short notice."

Documents reveal that in addition to patrol officers, detectives, narcotics units and supervisors are routinely pulled from their regular duties to provide support to motorcades. The drain on police adds up to tens of thousands of man hours each year. When EMS units are diverted to motorcade details, they are unable to respond to emergency calls from the public.

All local governments across the country are required to provide support to federal motorcades when they pass through, but the White House chooses not to reimburse local tax payers for these services.

(Copyright 2006 by WTOP. All Rights Reserved.)