Controlling Crowds During Pope Visit

Approximately a week from now, the pope will arrive in Philadelphia. This news has brought a strong mix of reactions. Some people are very excited, some are angry, and some are tired just thinking about navigating the city for those particular days. Officials have been planning for months, amid public praise and outcry over certain practices. Campaigns have been designed to get citizens excited about this visit after backlash due to the logistics of the pope’s visit. Even now, businesses are questioning if they should remain open for the event, or simply close their doors.

Planning and executing crowd control for such a large event is not easy. It takes a great deal of patience and cooperation from many different groups. So what are these groups doing to make this a secure event?

First off, there will be a great deal of road closures, train station closures, and additional public transportation closures. Travel by train has been overhauled for the event. These trains will only travel along certain lines and from certain stations. Many stations will be closed. This also holds true for busses and trolleys, which have modified schedules during the duration of the visit. For individuals hoping to avoid public transportation all weekend and simply drive, they must check on road closures. Multiple highways and bridges will be closed, making travel through the city difficult and long. There are also major roads within the city that vehicles will not be allowed into at all. Residents have been advised to avoid traveling by vehicle during the weekend, as traffic congestion along open roads will be severe.

As vehicles are not allowed within a certain zone, those individuals wishing to see the pope, or even get to work, will have to walk. Pedestrians will have to pass through a security checkpoint before continuing. Once through security, pedestrians will be forced to walk. To make sure people’s views of the pope are not obscured, the main form of crowd control will be 3 ½ foot tall barricades. This is to prevent pedestrians from moving into restricted areas, while still giving them the opportunity to see. For people unable to see the stage, there are plans to broadcast the event on large screens across the area. There will be larger fencing used to secure the perimeter, but this should not obscure the view of people actually inside the perimeter for the event.

Certain services in specific parts of the city will be restricted or removed altogether. For example, mail will not be delivered to certain zip codes. Emergency services will be harder to receive, particularly for occasions such as repairs. There will be plenty of security on hand however, including the National Guard, Secret Service, and more.

Something else to be considered that cannot be controlled is the weather. Many of the pope’s events take place outdoors, and with an estimated 1 million people flocking in for this visit, having a plan for severe weather is essential. That National Weather Service will be providing frequent updates. Individuals may sign up for text alerts regarding weather. In the event that people need to take shelter, officials will usher people into parking garages, hotels, and local businesses. This must happen in advance of a weather event, as there will be many people that need to move to safety. Luckily, severe weather at this time of the year in Philadelphia is rare, but people must still be prepared.  

While the pope’s visit is sure to cause many headaches, it will be well worth the crowd control efforts.