As most of the world prepares for the historic inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama later this month, safety concerns reach an all-time high. Obama will be under the tightest security ever, shielded by a new, heavily armored Cadillac limousine with bullet-resistant glass, fighter planes overhead and Secret Service SWAT teams toting automatic weapons, according to the Miami Herald. This inauguration poses a massive challenge for the Secret Service and some 10,000 officers from more than 100 federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. Retired Secret Service agent Robert Rodriguez believes it’s because of the massive crowds expected and thinks that the risk of harm to the country’s first Black president “is greater, because, unfortunately, I believe there is still active prejudice in our nation.” —BB