In a December 1998 letter to county residents, Schwiesow issued a public warning about the dangers of Y2K, saying that God calls on a civil magistrate like himself to warn others of potential dangers. In the letter, Schwiesow referred to proverbs and psalms and urged residents to consider stockpiling water and food and water and to consider alternative heating methods in case something happened. In addition, the city has established an emergency communications network comprised of 72 sites located throughout the city. Police and city officials said that 145 street intersections will be manned by law enforcement officers. Washington has been divided into patrol regions so that police are within walking distance of any residence or building.
Federal agents plan to do electronic security sweeps of major monuments and federal buildings.
An estimated 500,000 people are expected to attend events at the National Mall. Meanwhile, District of Columbia officials are preparing for a worst-case scenario if the power fails due to Y2K computer glitches. In addition, the federal government has opened a Y2K crisis center to monitor technology failures around the world. The Houston Police Department will have all 5,400 of its officers on duty New Year's Eve as part of its Y2K readiness program, department spokesman John Leggio said. Louisiana State Police say they will have a slightly larger than normal complement of personnel out during the New Year's season, paying particular attention to foreign ships arriving with hazardous materials.