Law enforcement, agents up the security for visit

By John Grant Emeigh of The Montana Standard - 07/01/2008

Local law enforcement and U.S. Secret Service agents will be gearing up for the Mining City’s high-profile visitor this Friday.

Butte Sheriff John Walsh learned Monday morning that Sen. Barack Obama will be participating in Butte’s Fourth of July parade this year, and he said security measures are already being taken. Secret Service agents will be in town all week preparing for the Democratic presidential candidates return to Butte.

Butte police, the Montana Highway Patrol and secret service will be on hand to provide security during the parade, which is set to begin at 10 a.m. at the Butte Civic Center and head south along Harrison Avenue.

Though the time and route of the parade will remain unchanged, people will be asked not to park their vehicles along Harrison Avenue during the parade between the Civic Center and the Interstate, Walsh said. Further security-related restrictions may be announced later in the week.

Walsh said he and his staff met with secret service Monday morning to discuss security measures for the senator from Illinois. Many details on Obama’s visit, such as how he will arrive in Butte and how he will participate in the parade, will not be made public for security reasons.

Walsh said every available police officer will work security during Obama’s visit.

“It’s exciting and a great thing for Butte, but there’s a bit of trepidation providing security for such a major event,” the sheriff said.

Walsh said he’s confident things will go well during the parade just like it did in April when both Obama and Hilary Rodham Clinton visited Butte. Obama and Clinton spoke at the Civic Center on April 5 at the Montana Democratic Party’s annual Mansfield-Metcalf dinner.