Greek police step up patrols

ATHENS, Greece - Security teams began a full-scale tightening of surveillance and patrols Thursday in preparation for August's Olympics.

But the inability to seal off the main stadium complex could raise concerns that the round-the-clock construction might compromise the most elaborate and costly security network in Olympic history.

"For us, the Olympic Games start today," Public Order Minister Giorgos Voulgarakis said. "They start today for the Greek police, the armed forces and the coast guard."

Voulgarakis said officials will try to get the stadium fully secured before Aug. 10 - three days before the opening ceremony. Nearly all other Olympic facilities will be fully "locked down" by mid-July, officials said.

"By the middle of July we will have 100 percent implementation of the measures," Voulgarakis said.

About 11,000 police officers and others began moving into Olympic venues and facilities in the first stage of the "lockdown" process, which includes security sweeps and tests of all surveillance operations. Street patrols will also increase over the coming weeks, Voulgarakis said.

"Our country is ensuring the best possible security for the Olympic Games," government spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos said "We are ready and have spent an awfully large amount of money."

A total of 70,000 police, soldiers and other forces have been assigned to protect the Aug. 13-29 Games, which carries a record security budget of at least $1.2 billion.

A seven-nation task force, including the United States and Britain, is assisting with the security blueprint. NATO will also help safeguard the Olympics, supplying radar planes, ships and an anti-chemical warfare unit.

U.S. Marine Gen. James Jones, the supreme allied commander in Europe, discussed Olympic security plans with Voulgarakis and the Greek military general staff during an informal one-day visit to Athens.

The meeting came shortly after a Greek special forces unit that will provide security during the games held an exercise off the coast of Athens.