Security At Federal Buildings Beefed Up After Bombing Concrete Barriers, Metal Detectors, Extra Officers Are Visible Signs Of A Greater Commitment To Security

The government has spent $100 million to improve security at federal office buildings since last year’s deadly bombing in Oklahoma City, but as Friday’s anniversary nears, some officials suggest human powers of observation may be the best defense.

“I’ll remind everyone the day before to be especially cautious in case somebody wants to commemorate the occasion by trying something similar,” said Robert Gard, supervising deputy of the U.S. Marshals Service in Norfolk, Va.

Friday is also the anniversary of the fiery end of the Branch Davidian stand-off at Waco, Texas.

“We remind all of our employees that this is an anniversary that can prompt hostile actions by persons antagonistic to the federal government,” said Richard Haynes, special agent in charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms office in Houston.

In the days after the bombing, the General Services Administration was criticized for not having enough uniformed officers at federal buildings outside of Washington and for security lapses in nearly every region of the country. The agency, with the help of a Justice Department review, moved quickly to shore up security and rehabilitate its image.

Within a week or two, parking meters were taken out of service, back entrances to some buildings were locked and concrete barriers were erected. Metal detectors were installed at the entrances of some buildings. Packages were carefully screened and extra officers were added.

The result, according to David J. Barram, acting administrator of the General Services Administration, is that federal offices are “more secure places for employees and visitors today than ever before.”

Perhaps the most noticed change was in Washington, where chain-link fences and immense concrete planters closed Pennsylvania Avenue to vehicles for two blocks around the White House. The change disrupted traffic and increased travel time for some commuters.

GSA officials are reluctant to discuss specifics of the new security program, but say an additional $174 million in improvements is planned in the next year and a half.

“We don’t discuss security procedures that we take, for obvious reasons,” said Tom Nixon, chief deputy of the U.S. Marshals Service in Phoenix, Ariz.

In most cities, the closing of parking areas near federal buildings is the most obvious sign of change. On a recent day in Toledo, Ohio, the parking ban got decidedly mixed reviews.

Tom Burkett, a 34-year-old salesman, wondered if the no-parking signs around the federal building would actually deter someone intent on destruction or violence.

But inside, filling out a form at the Social Security office, 61-year-old Ellen Davis said the ban is good because it provides an extra layer of protection against a car bomb.

“There are so many kooks out there,” she said.

Officials point out that complete security is an impossible goal because people have to have access to post offices, Social Security offices and other agencies.

“You can only do so much, because if somebody wants to do the building in, it can happen,” said Al Bartek, a contract specialist with the Natural Resource Conservation Service in Lincoln, Neb.