120 officers from Miami, Miami Beach, Miami-Dade work at Inauguration Day
WASHINGTON – Police officers from South Florida were on crowd control duty during Inauguration Day.
One-hundred and twenty officers from the Cities of Miami and Miami Beach and Miami-Dade County Police Departments were in Washington, D.C., on Monday.
"It's like an 18-hour day for us, but it's an honor to be here, representing South Florida, and also we're taking in this great event, an America tradition," said Miami Beach Deputy Police Chief Mark Overton.
Some of the officers have specific training fit for crowd control.
"Our department specifically has a rapid response force, and they came down here because of the heightened training that they have and the more disciplined group that they are," said Miami-Dade Police Lt. David Calzadilla
"You can feel the energy in the crowd and everybody is happy to be here," said Miami-Dade Police Sgt. Ricardo Toledo.
"Everybody is so friendly. I mean, any questions you may have, anything, everybody's willing to help," said Miami-Dade Police Sgt. Jannene Howe.
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Monday, January 21, 20133:30 p.m.What are the chances we'd find students from South Florida among the hundreds of thousands of people on the National Mall?! I loved hearing their thoughts and impressions of what they had been a part of today.They are inspired and inspiring.I'm writing up a report right now.Monday, January 21, 20132:30 p.m.We're just getting back to our workspace. We've been shooting and mingling with several hundred thousand fellow Americans since about 6:30 this morning.And I thought you might want a look at what "workspace" means, and just how glamorous television news can be. In this case, thanks to our friends and colleagues at ABC News for coordinating the trailer space, electrical hook-ups, live shot set ups, etc. They also have a supply of coffee and hand-warmers, the sign of truly excellent producing.Some things to note: crews from seven different ABC stations happily sharing one single-wide, the supply of junk food that is the mark of a news trip (not ours, by the way. Marcel and I wangled our way past the security tofind some whole wheat wraps and soup).And yes, in the foreground (front left with iPhone headphones), that is Marcel grabbing a nap while I write my reports for tonight.2:10 p.m.This particular frenzy was for the National Anthem... or was it for Beyonce? Hmmmmm.1:33 p.m.Besides the little American flags, these get my vote for best accessory of #Inaug201312:05 p.m.A crowd of "We the People."11:12 a.m.We just found allthe South Florida police officers working the inaugural beat. City of Miami, Miami-Dade, and Miami Beach Police Departments all have 40 officers up here in D.C. They are all assigned to crowd control on the parade route and they're all stationed next to one another. And I think they appeared actually happy to see us.Glenna Milberg with Miami Beach Police Deputy Chief Mark Overton9:58 a.m.Someone call the Guinness people. I've never seen so many Porto-Potties in one city. Had they wanted to be very patriotic, they could have mixed in some red and white ones.9:42 a.m.Tens of thousands of people are pouring onto the National Mall.A big corps of volunteer "greeters" are saying "Good morning" and high fiving almost every one of them.I've already had awoman from Tennessee spontaneously hug me, for no other reason than she was just thrilled to be here and I happened to be the closest person to tell. I think this is the happiest place on earth right now.6:31 a.m.You would think with this pile of credentials, we could walk right up to the President and stand next to him while he takes the oath. Tell that to the security guard standing next to the press riser where we were scheduled for the first live shot of the day today -- the one we walked 1/2 mile in the middle of the night to make. Somehow, some little word was missing from one of the creds, and although the look on my face said "We're about to miss deadline," he wasn't budging.I'm not at liberty to divulge in detail what happened next, though I will promise it was completely legal.
Monday, January 21, 20133:30 p.m.What are the chances we'd find students from South Florida among the hundreds of thousands of people on the National Mall?! I loved hearing their thoughts and impressions of what they had been a part of today.They are inspired and inspiring.I'm writing up a report right now.
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