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Which Maryland Agencies Will Help With Security At Inauguration?

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to attend Friday's Presidential Inauguration, including the National Guardsmen at Camp Fretterd.

Guardsmen made their way to Washington from Reisterstown in the early hours Wednesday morning.

When they arrive, they are expected to help control the near one million people expected on hand. 400 National Guard troops from Maryland will help.

The scenery of Washington D.C. surrounding the U.S. Capitol is changing by the hour.

Security measures are in place as every section of the area is being checked, as an anticipated 800,000 people plan to experience the swearing in of Donald Trump as President of the United States.

Former Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff, who led security efforts for the inauguration of President Obama in 2009, says terrorism is not the only concern.

"Protesters always create a challenge, particularly because they can be a distraction," said Chertoff.

More than 350,000 protesters are expected on D.C. streets during the inauguration, with thousands of officers from police departments across the country and thousands from the National Guard monitoring the situation.

The Guardsmen will be in charge of traffic duty, but will get special training in case they need to help outside the police.

"Technically we can do police action, but it's for more practical purposes," says Colonel Charles Kohler. "We will have police officers with us and they will be doing any arresting if anything needs to help like that. Our folks will be in support of the police operation if anything comes to that level."

Agencies from Maryland include: Montgomery County, Prince George's County, and the Howard County Police Departments, Maryland State Police, along with Baltimore City Police Department officers.

The Maryland National Guard troops will control the intersections in downtown D.C., outside of the ticket area.

President-elect Donald Trump is expected in Washington on Wednesday.

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