Security measures related to Friday's presidential inauguration are already visible. By week's end, the nation's capital will have transformed into a virtual fortress of roadblocks, fences and armed police, reports the Washington Post.

To accomplish having a tranquil event amid worries of terrorist attacks and threats by some groups to disrupt the celebration requires bringing in 3,000 police officers from across the nation and 5,000 members of the National Guard, bolstering the already large law enforcement footprint imposed on everyday Washington. The numbers this year are the same as in years past.

"We're constantly adapting, evolving and enhancing our protective methodology to protect against emerging threats," said Brian Ebert, the Secret Service special agent in charge of the Washington field office. "We are monitoring our adversaries, paying close attention to their trends and tactics."