AMP to fly in 12 rangers for visit

The American Memorial Park will fly in at least 12 National Park Service rangers this weekend to help secure the visit of the Japanese imperial couple next week.

AMP public information officer Aaron Kaye said yesterday that the park asked for the assistance of at least a dozen rangers from three states to help in this “once-in-a-blue moon event.”

He said the rangers would come from the Western National Parks in the mainland U.S. such as California, Washington, and Hawaii. The park would also fly in rangers from Guam.

“The additional staff will help in the general flow of people and crowd control,” he said, referring to the expected huge traffic next week inside the AMP.

He said the extra rangers are necessary due to the tight security needed for the visit. Multiple federal agencies, U.S. Secret Service groups, and officers from the Department of Public Safety will be coordinating the tight security measures throughout the imperial visit.

Kaye said the memorial park management team would like to emphasize to the public that there would be stringent security checkout lanes for the public when Japan’s Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko visit the park on Tuesday.

He said people would be screened for metals and other hazardous materials and would not be allowed to carry bags such as purses and backpacks inside the viewing sections of the park.

He said major preparation for the park is for security and traffic flow purposes only; for other preparations, they have done cleanups and maintenance of park facilities. He said there were no repainting done or power washing in the park.

Kaye said they will put up tents and barricades in designated areas of the park. Parking would also be limited.

“People will be provided the opportunity [to view the visiting imperial couple] but security is tight,” he said.

Kaye said the park only had three weeks to prepare for the event. Despite the short notice, they are now prepared, spending as much as $100,000 to make sure that the site is ready.

Site manager Chuck Sayon earlier said that the money was used to pay for overtime cost of personnel who are working double time to prepare and secure the area. The figure also includes travel expenses for the additional personnel they require for the imperial visit.

Sayon said the park would be closed on Tuesday from 6am until the actual visit of the imperial couple. He said the park would have a dry run on its security procedures Monday morning. Security guards will be deployed at the park within the period of the visit to prevent vandalism and other misconduct inside the park.

Notice to protesters and demonstrators

As for individuals and groups who want to exercise their 1st Amendment Rights next week, Sayon said they must first secure a permit.

Sayon said that permission to hold protests and demonstrations or any other activities at the park must be officially approved through a formal application process, with paperwork submitted for review no later than 48 hours prior to the intended activity.

Application forms could be obtained at the AMP headquarters and would be reviewed by park management prior to any approval or issuance of a special use permit.

Kaye said that permits would be granted based on the activity’s meaningful association with the park area and its significance. If the activities do not fall within or comply with the provisions and established parameters, the application would be denied, he added.

Once a permit is granted, Sayon said protesters would still have to restrict themselves to the designated areas where they will be allowed to mount their activities. He said even the media will not be spared from this stringent designation.

“It is the responsibility of the applicant and all involved in any such activity, that they be familiar with the United States Federal Rules and Regulations concerning 1st Amendment Rights as well as those that govern the management of the American Memorial Park,” he said.