On my way to work this morning I heard the sirens of a police car heading east on 79th Street. I stopped to let them pass, and was surprised to see that the first card was a blue and white Federal Protective Service car bearing the seal of the Department of Homeland Security. It was followed closely by a regular local squad car, and both had lights and sirens going.

The FPS provides security for all federal buildings, so it was probably nothing significant. Still, there was that moment where scary thoughts went through my mind. "Who's holding a demonstration today that the Feds want to bust up? Is today an election day?"