Planning security details for Pope’s visit www.privateofficer.com

Planning security details for the Pope’s visit http://www.privateofficer.com

Washington DC April 17 2008

By: Rick McCann

Ntl. Assoc. Private Officers

www.privateofficer.com
For many here in the U.S., the arrival of the Pope was quite a surprise. One that many thought would never happen in their lifetime and one that looked like the Pope flew here on a whim, maybe just to celebrate his 81st birthday, or maybe to say so long, farewell to the outgoing President Bush.
But to those in the know, this was no spur of the moment trip. In fact, more than 30 law enforcement agencies including the Secret Service whose in charge of his security while he’s here knew of the trip more than five months ago.
Federal law officers say that they had a lot of planning to do before his arrival to make his trip as safe as possible.

For the U.S. Secret Service, Pope Benedict XVI’s arrival at Andrews Air Force Base on Tuesday marks the culmination of more than five months of preparations. At least thirty state, local and federal agencies are involved in making sure the Pope’s pilgrimage to the United States is safe said an agent. “Every security aspect that you ever have been exposed to will be deployed and, quite frankly, a few that you have never seen deployed,” said Jeff Irvine of the U.S. Secret Service. One of the Pontiff’s three Popemobiles was shipped in to move Pope Benedict around the Washington. He will be protected by bulletproof glass and watched over by a Virgin Mary decal.

But because the entire point of the Popemobile is to give crowds a glimpse of the Holy Father, some often-used security measures cannot be taken. “Clearly that will make this a little more challenging then when we can play different shell games or moving the vehicles around or moving the protectee around,” said Renee Triplett of the U.S. Secret Service.

Security concerns have also cut back on the guest list at events. Sikh representatives will not be present at an interfaith meeting of religious leaders because they wanted to wear their ceremonial daggers.

Security experts say the biggest challenge will be the mass for 46,000 people at Nationals Park. Larry Cunningham handled security for Pope John Paul II visit to the U.S. “By the sheer numbers and the size of this building.

It is difficult to control,” said Cunningham, a former Secret Service Agent. The Coast Guard will shut down a mile-and-a-half stretch of the Anacostia river. Armed boats will patrol the water. “So if anyone poses a threat, they are in trouble. We can use force,” said Lt. Lynda LeCrone, U.S. Coast Guard.

Air traffic restrictions are also being tightened during the papal visit. The Air force will patrol the skys and be on 24 hour stand by should a plane enter the restricted air space.

And there will be numerous road closings, both in advance and rolling closures during unscheduled motorcades.

Besides all of the beefed up security planned for the Washington visit, the Pope plans include a trip north to New York and a repeat of security precautions will be in place there.Administration officials say there has been no specific threat involving the Pope.

But because Osama bin Laden mentioned him on videotape and because he is visiting two high threat cities, Washington and New York, every precaution is being taken.

Private security officers in both cities will also take part in the event security as they tighten security access in buildings and public areas close to where the Pope will be visiting. Security officers will be on heightened alert and keep a watch in those areas that are hired to patrol and will be looking for suspicous persons, packages or vehicles and will keep contact with area police.

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