Stricter Security Measures Part of New Environment

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Byline: Daniel F. Drummond and Vaishali Honawar

Residents of the Washington area will have to get used to new inconveniences as the nation tightens security measures for the long haul.

More stringent security and identification checks will become the norm at military and government buildings in the aftermath of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

Government and other workers also can expect more drills to prepare them for orderly evacuation during an emergency.

State police and federal inspectors are stopping and inspecting trucks carrying hazardous cargo amid concerns that such vehicles could be used by terrorists. The spot inspections likely will continue as the nation's war against global terrorism proceeds.

In the wake of the attacks, area commuters re-evaluated their routes to work as military installations and other government buildings stepped up security precautions.

The question …