Police Step Up Security Near Congressional During Open Week

As the U.S. Open golf championship tees off at in Bethesda, local, state and federal law enforcement agencies are taking heavy precautions to keep the tournament – and its quarter-million attendees – safe.

More than 300 officers will be in and around the club this week, both in uniform and in plain clothes, to handle security and said Capt. Darryl McSwain of the Montgomery County Police Department, who is overseeing law enforcement operations for the tournament. As spectators arrive at in Gaithersburg, metal detectors and bag checks – similar to airport security – will screen for prohibited items before shuttle buses take spectators to the course. Spectators who arrive by other means will be screened at an on-site checkpoint. U.S. Open tickets and credentials have unique bar codes that will be scanned before spectators are allowed on the grounds.

“We’re speaking of a large number of people and a well-publicized event,” McSwain said. “It’s only prudent for us to consider all of the ‘what-ifs’ we can possibly think about.”

Police are encouraging attendees to review the list of banned materials before coming to the course.

Monday, the fairgrounds checkpoint uncovered black-listed materials every few minutes, sending unwitting golf fans back to their cars to stow the banned items. View our for a list of what not to bring.

There are no known threats against the tournament or the players, McSwain said.

“We have a group of federal, state and local law enforcement members who will be communicating with one another throughout the week,” he said. “We’ll be monitoring intelligence at all levels so that we can act on any concerns as quickly as possible.”