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Thu Nov 20 18:26:59 CST 2008

Crowds could overwhelm cell towers

December 9, 2008 - 6:19am

WASHINGTON - The record crowds expected for the inauguration could mean cell
phone towers will be overwhelmed and broadband Internet service slowed down,
business and government leaders warned Monday. 

If 4 million to 5 million people show up as expected, the region could be in
for a "logistical nightmare," says Greater Washington Board of Trade
President Jim Dinegar. 

At briefing organized by the board, officials said the employees for
caterers, hotels and other service industries should expect to start their
commutes much earlier than expected. 

Restaurants expecting deliveries should prepare for delays in those
deliveries. 

The <http://www.wtop.com/?nid=733&inform_keyword=U.S.+Secret+Service>
Secret Service is still mapping out security checkpoints.

The crowd expectation -- roughly 20 percent of the District's yearly visitor
count -- has one expert suggesting people stay home. 

Charlie Fisher with the
<http://www.wtop.com/?nid=733&inform_keyword=Washington> Washington-based
disaster preparedness and response firm, James Lee Witt Associates also says
with so many people not staying in hotels grocery stores need to stock up so
there are not shortages of basics, such as milk and bread.

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m/?nid=3D25&amp;sid=3D1542788</a><o:p></o:p></DEFANGED_span></h1>

<h1>Crowds could overwhelm cell towers<o:p></o:p></h1>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><DEFANGED_span class=3Ddate>December 9, 2008 - 6:19am<=
/DEFANGED_span><o:p></o:p></p>

WASHINGTON - The record crowds expected for the inaugu=
ration
could mean cell phone towers will be overwhelmed and broadband Internet ser=
vice
slowed down, business and government leaders warned Monday. <o:p></o:p>

If 4 million to 5 million people show up as expected, the region could b=
e in
for a &quot;logistical nightmare,&quot; says Greater Washington Board of Tr=
ade
President Jim Dinegar. <o:p></o:p>

At briefing organized by the board, officials said the employees for
caterers, hotels and other service industries should expect to start their
commutes much earlier than expected. <o:p></o:p>

Restaurants expecting deliveries should prepare for delays in those
deliveries. <o:p></o:p>

<p>The <a href=3D"http://www.wtop.com/?nid=3D733&amp;inform_keyword=3DU.S.+=
Secret+Service"
title=3D"U.S. Secret Service"><DEFANGED_span style=3D'color:#29598C;text-de=
coration:none'>Secret
Service</DEFANGED_span></a> is still mapping out security checkpoints. <o:p=
></o:p></p>

The crowd expectation -- roughly 20 percent of the District's yearly vis=
itor
count -- has one expert suggesting people stay home. <o:p></o:p>

Charlie Fisher with the <a
href=3D"http://www.wtop.com/?nid=3D733&amp;inform_keyword=3DWashington"
title=3DWashington><DEFANGED_span style=3D'color:#29598C;text-decoration:no=
ne'>Washington</DEFANGED_span></a>-based
disaster preparedness and response firm, James Lee Witt Associates also says
with so many people not staying in hotels grocery stores need to stock up so
there are not shortages of basics, such as milk and bread. <o:p></o:p>

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