Wash DC and NYC security observations

[hartzpad]

My wife and I just returned from a trip to Washington DC and New York City and of course, security was very tight everywhere, but it made for some great gun watching. Washington DC police, Capital police, and those policing other monuments all had full sized Glocks in their holsters, not sure if they were 9mm (G17), .40 (G22), or maybe even .357 sig or 10mm, though not as likely. Funny thing was all the museum security guards (all looked like rent-a-cops) had the same compact revolvers w/ hogue grips on them (didn't get any pics). Maybe these are old surplus, police-issue .38 revolvers? Saw tons of the same revolvers being carried by many NYC policemen patrolling random corners of Times Square, etc. Although I spotted a few NYPD officers with 1911's, Smith and Wesson autos, and a few with Glocks, also one had a Sig 226. The highlight of the trip was taking a tour of the Capitol building and seeing HK G36's in person for the first time! These are the guys that the Associated Press shows weekly guarding the Capitol from all sides. I tried to talk to one of the Capitol policemen about their G36, but they seemed too "pre-occupied," oh well.

Here is a pic from the tour:

High Resolution Version of the Same Image

 

[mhdishere]

A few years ago when NYPD switched from .38 revolvers to autos the LEOs had the option of keeping the .38's, a lot did. I think all new cops get autos.

Funny, I didn't think NYPD allowed the cops to carry 1911's. When they carried revolvers they had to be DAO revolvers (according to a cop I knew from my old gun club in NYC), I thought the autos were too. I know the NYPD autos used to be 9mm, the choices used to be Glock, S&W or SIG. Again, that's a few years ago.

It's possible that some of the "elite" NYPD units would have something else.

 

[El Tejon]

I'll be dipped! That mag looks loaded.

Never thought I would see the day.

 

[R.H. Lee]

More and more 'militarization'. We're starting to look like some banana republic. Pretty soon they'll be wearing kevlar and blue helmets.

 

[carpettbaggerr]

How far away were you when you took that picture? Unless it's a telephoto lens, the cop has very poor awareness skills, and the nice subgun ain't gonna help. .

 

[hartzpad]

I was only about 20-25 feet away with a large tour group of 20 people all taking pictures behind the officer. Everyone was taking pics of the view from the Capitol steps, I was the only who took a picture of the officer, I felt it was my duty for the sake of THR. Funny thing is my wife got mad at me for it, LOL! "Why don't you just take pictures of the scenery like everyone else?" LOL!

 

[armoredman]

Oleg! That picture BEGS captioning!

 

[sendec]

"Militarization"



There's that word again. He's wearing the kevlar and the helmet is probably in the trunk.

Never thought someone would feel threatened by a cop in shorts and a ball cap. With a nice parasol, no less.

 

[R.H. Lee]

OOPS! Touched a nerve, I see.........

 

[El Tejon]

If we are to militarize the police, can we militarize the Indiana State Police and then they can start off shore bombardment of Gary, Indiana.?

 

[MikeK]

You must be an art lover. Unless things have changed, which they may have, The only armed museum guards in DC were at the National Gallery of Art. I worked there many years ago. .38 Specials, many ex-military and a shooting range in the old building.

Nice pic.

 

[sendec]

IIRC the National Zoo and Smithsonian Institutes have their own commissioned police forces. the US Park Police work a lot of the monuments and roads.

Shorts and ballcaps are OK in my book for marine, bike, and "casual" law enforcement, but I'd sorta prefer that the guys and girls protecting our nation's capital looked the part. I've done my turn standing in the sun holding pavement down and know its no fun, but this is D.C. darnit, and not traffic control at a gold tournament. And at least put the cooler down behind the wall so it does'nt look like you're defending it from Yogi and BooBoo

 

[0luke1]

In NYC, I've been noticing an increase of well muscled "street people" hanging around. There are also roving SWAT style teams and plenty of uniformed officers pounding the pavement.

For those of you who haven't visited the big apple lately, Mayor Guiliani (the man who should be president), had done a great job of motivating "street people" to behave properly. Although his standards have slipped a little with the new Mayor, NYC remains head and shoulders above most cities for cleanliness and safety. The recent arrival of obviously well fed and healthy looking "bums" is noteworthy.

IMHO, Washington DC and San Fran are by far the worst cities for (real) "street people."