HARRISBURG, Pa. (KYW Newsradio) — As the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden draws closer, the FBI is warning of potential threats to Capitol buildings in all 50 states, and once again in Washington, D.C., following the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.
One man has already been arrested in Washington for carrying an unlicensed handgun and 500 rounds of ammunition near a security checkpoint.
In Harrisburg, preparations to protect the state Capitol building have been underway for days, though there have been no specific threats made and no permits for any formal protests.
Law enforcement called the increased presence an abundance of caution, saying after what happened at the U.S. Capitol, and other state threats, they were forced to be prepared.
But there were no group protests. Instead, there was just an occasional straggler who would make their way to the Capitol steps, state their case, then wander off.
Still, the pedestrian walkways have been blocked by heavy orange barriers like those seen in road construction zones.
Sources with law enforcement tell KYW Newsradio they hadn't seen increased hotel bookings, nor any increase on sites like Airbnb. They have not seen spikes in train or bus tickets, or in airline tickets or car rentals that would indicate large crowds are on their way.
But Pennsylvania Capitol Police have been out and visible all week, with the special response team in full gear, making a point to be seen. They said they welcome protests, and have had plenty of experience with crowd control over the past several months, with Black Lives Matter marches, Second Amendment protests, and "Re-Open PA" rallies.
However, they also said there's no excuse for the violence that happened at the U.S. Capitol.
About 450 Pennsylvania National Guard members are on active duty across the state, with many in Harrisburg. That’s in addition to the 2,000 guardsmen in Washington, D.C. They're assisted by the Pennsylvania State Police, who plan to have choppers, planes, and drones in the air, along with their bomb squad.
Harrisburg police were also on hand, along with Dauphin County law enforcement and the Office of the Attorney General.
But there were few protesters, the Capitol steps quiet and peaceful.
In addition to Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, the state Capitol will be closed Tuesday and Wednesday.
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Philadelphia also braced for potential violence ahead of Inauguration Day. Mayor Jim Kenney said the city is preparing for anything.
"To be clear, violence, vandalism and other criminal behavior that we witness at the capitol will not be tolerated," said Kenney.
While there haven't been specific threats made to the city, there is a heightened security presence at major landmarks, including Independence Hall.
"Completely crazy, unprecedented and really scary," expressed one tourist.
"I feel like I'm in a different country. I wanted to call my mom and tell her what is going on," said another. A third tourist noted that the amplified law enforcement presence should be enough to quell any threats.
District Attorney Larry Krasner issued a warning to right-wing activists last week. "We ain't having Nazis in Philly. That's not happening. I don't care what flavor of Nazi you think you are, we are not having it," he said.
During November's vote count, police arrested two Virginia men linked to the online conspiracy faction QAnon, who showed up at the Pennsylvania Convention Center with a Hummer filled with weapons.
Those men now face additional charges after taking part in the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.