RICHARD NIXON: 1913-1994 : Law Agencies Weave Net of Security : Funeral: Secret Service, sheriff and local police join in a tightly organized air-land protection plan for Presidents, dignitaries.

A blanket of security was wrapped around the Richard Nixon Library & Birthplace Tuesday as federal, state and local law enforcement agencies prepared to protect President Clinton and hundreds of other dignitaries with measures that included a no-fly zone above the burial site.

A spokesman for the U.S. Secret Service in Washington said protective details have been assigned not only to Clinton but also to former Presidents Bush, Reagan, Carter and Ford, who are expected to arrive at the library today in separate motorcades escorted by California Highway Patrol officers on motorcycles.

“For us,” said Gayle Moore, Secret Service spokeswoman, “it’s basically a logistic concern. Most of our security will fall under the presidential umbrella and it doesn’t get any more secure than that.”

“I’m sure that everything will go smoothly,” Moore said.

The White House sent an advance team, including Secret Service, over the weekend to handle everything from press relations to security.

“When you’re dealing with a President,” said Orange County Sheriff’s Lt. Dan Martini, “it’s very organized and very well-planned.”

The Brea Police Department, which provides police services for Yorba Linda, was assisting in Secret Service efforts, said Brea Police Officer Dan Moon.

“The Secret Service has certain guidelines that they have to follow, and we are trying to work with them,” Moon said.

Moon said Brea Police Department, which has about 100 sworn officers, requested and received support from the Orange County Sheriff’s Department and several other law enforcement agencies in Orange County.

On Tuesday, law enforcement officers were evident everywhere, on foot and on bicycle and often in yellow rain slickers, at the Richard Nixon Library & Birthplace as Nixon’s body was returned home.

Beginning Tuesday at noon, the Secret Service ordered the Federal Aviation Administration to prohibit flights below 2,500 feet within a three-mile radius of the library. The no-fly rule will last until 8 p.m. today.

“Of course, with the President’s arrival,” said Fredrick O’Donnell, an FAA spokesman, “we can expect more stringent requirements such as a higher elevation for the restrictive airspace.”

On Tuesday, helicopters chartered by the media were allowed to follow the motorcade carrying Nixon’s body from El Toro Marine Corps Air Station to the library, provided a flight plan was filed and Brea police notified, O’Donnell said.

Once the President arrives, the air restriction applies to all non-law enforcement aircraft, he said.

“It’s designed to protect those aircraft with legitimate reasons to be there,” O’Donnell said. “The biggest problem with any major event is you can expect at least from six to 12 media helicopters. And add to that equation law enforcement helicopters for the Secret Service and police.

“Then sometimes we get the sightseer, the guy who owns a business and who wants to bring friends and flies over the activity. Those people have absolutely no function with the event and potentially can be a danger to themselves, other aircraft and people on the ground,” O’Donnell said.

Sheriff’s deputies and reserves have been called in to help with traffic and parking control, Martini said.

“We’ll have a combination of patrol people, investigators and reserve forces, doing our best not to deplete any current service,” Martini said.

Brea’s Officer Moon said there were no major problems Tuesday.

“So far it’s business as usual for us” Moon said. “We’re trying to maintain the flow of traffic around the events so that the residents experience as little inconvenience as possible. They’ve been cooperative and understanding.”

Street Closures

The neighborhood surrounding the Richard Nixon Library & Birthplace will be closed to pedestrian and vehicle traffic from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. today. Residents and invited funeral guests only will be allowed into the area. Use alternate routes to avoid library area.

This shaded area closed to traffic

This portion of Yorba Linda Boulevard closed

Imperial Highway and Valley View Avenue open

Alternate route