Expect increased security at Nationals games

Police are planning for increase security in October because of the Nationals probable inclusion into the playoffs. The security will be used to help with traffic, help direct pedestrians, and help calm crowds down if the Nationals have any postseason victories. The D.C police chief said “you will see a lot more police.” However the goal is not to decrease the normal police force monitoring the street throughout the district.

The estimates for a single wild card game are about 200, which will be pulled from the Civil Disturbance Unit. The unit would increase dramatically if the Nationals get to the National League Championship or the World Series. The D.C will pick up the extra cost required for the security, based on the deal the Nationals signed with the city when they moved from Montreal. The cost of extra security would be around one million, and cost more than any profits made from the games themselves.