WASHINGTON – A high-security presence has enveloped the nation’s capital as officials prepare for a series of high-profile events in the coming weeks, compounded by heightened concerns following recent vehicle attacks in New Orleans and Las Vegas.

Early Monday morning, U.S. Capitol Police arrested a telecommunications contractor who drove onto a Capitol sidewalk and parked. Although the incident was later deemed non-threatening, authorities are leaving no room for error amid mounting security concerns.

“We have got a lot going on here, and clearly, we want to ensure that everybody is safe,” said Capitol Police Chief Thomas Manger.

The heightened precautions come ahead of several significant events, including the certification of the 2024 election on January 6, coinciding with the fourth anniversary of the Capitol riot, and the funeral for former President Jimmy Carter, scheduled from January 16 to 18. 

President-elect Donald Trump is set to hold a victory rally at Capital One Arena on January 19, the eve of his inauguration.

Mayor Muriel Bowser expressed solidarity with those affected by the recent attacks.

“I know that collectively, we are sending our love and prayers to our fellow Americans in New Orleans, and I especially want to hold my sister mayor, LaToya Cantrell, as she leads her city through these trying times,” Bowser said.

Security measures already include steel fences, roadblocks, and an increased police presence around key venues. Officials anticipate further road closures, particularly near Capital One Arena, where vehicle restrictions are typically enforced during major events.

Given the use of vehicles in recent attacks, retired Secret Service agent Jeff James emphasized the importance of flexibility in managing security operations for events occurring in quick succession. 

“You need that ability to bring in people from other parts of the country,” he said.

With thousands of visitors expected in D.C. over the next month, officials are determined to ensure the capital remains secure amid a challenging and fast-evolving security landscape.

WASHINGTON – Snow lovers, get ready! There is potential for snow showers on Friday across parts of the Washington, D.C. region. However, the greater chance of accumulating snow comes Sunday into Monday, with several inches possible.

FOX 5’s Taylor Grenda says Friday’s snow flurries are likely to move into the region during the middle of the day. “We have the chance for some snow showers developing tomorrow,” she said. “Most of that will be mid-to-late afternoon, so there’s an ongoing threat for that to produce maybe a coating in some spots. Not a huge, huge threat.”

The bigger threat comes at the end of the weekend. 

“Late Sunday evening, we’re going to see some snow showers start to develop,” she said. “As it shapes up right now, it looks like we’re going to get several inches of snowfall possible here across the DMV. That rain-snow line is just so close, as we typically see here across the area. But we’ll at least have the chance for some snow to impact the Monday morning commute.”

Grenda says it looks like the snow will stick around for a good part of Monday morning before gradually clearing out throughout the day.

FOX 5’s Mike Thomas says, according to the latest models, there is a good chance parts of the area could see around two inches of accumulating snow due to the storm.

The timing of the snowfall could possibly impact the Monday morning drive to work and school and could potentially lead to some closings and delays.

Stay with the FOX 5 Weather Team for the latest forecast updates.

The Nation’s Capital will soon be hosting two significant events that draw large crowds: next week’s state funeral for former President Jimmy Carter, followed by Donald Trump’s second inauguration as President of the United States.

After an incident being investigated as a terrorist attack in New Orleans Wednesday, extra precautions, some visible and some not, are going into place in D.C.

At 7th and F Streets Northwest outside Capital One Arena Wednesday night, vehicle barriers blocked access to F Street.

The area was busy with people attending the Washington Wizards game. Normally, the street is closed to vehicle traffic by the presence of one or more police cruisers.

There was also a heavier than usual presence of Metro Transit Police officers around the Gallery Place-Chinatown Metro stop adjacent to the arena. The agency posted on social media that it has heightened security across the transit system.

Metropolitan Police Department Chief Pamela Smith spoke with reporters at a 5K race event earlier in the day.

“Any time there is an incident such as what happened in New Orleans, we always heighten our security, and here in the District, we will continue to do the same today and throughout the rest of the week,” she said.

The Chief was asked how the horrific event in New Orleans affects security preparations for two upcoming events, which will bring crowds to the District.

“We’ve been preparing for large crowds. That’s what we specialize here in in the District of Columbia,” she said. “The Metropolitan Police Department will continue to work very closely with our local and state partners to see if there are any critical threats to the District, and if there are, we will posture ourselves accordingly.”

People’s eyes sometimes glaze over when they hear “See something, say something,” but community concern can and has helped prevent attacks both in the U.S. and overseas.