By AP/KWMU
St. Louis, MO – The war in Iraq has prompted tighter security at the Gateway Arch in St. Louis.
Additional law enforcement park rangers are now walking the grounds. Their vehicles were parking in front of some park entrances.
Rangers searched bags and backpacks on the patthe Arch. Inside security employees screened guests with metal detectors and
X-ray machines. That measure is not new.
Temporary concrete barriers were added in February along Memorial Drive to keep a truck carrying explosives from entering the Arch grounds.
Visitors Thursday said the security employees were professional and
polite. Several said they did not have any concerns about visiting the top of the Arch.