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. 

Holiday Travel Tips

Labor Day weekend begins today. Are you prepared for the crowds that come with it? Keep in mind that gas prices for Labor Day this year are the lowest they’ve been in about a decade. That means a lot of people are going to be on the roads or flying out to visit family, friends, and travel destinations.

While this is great and will lead to long weekends of fun for many people, there are negative side effects. The biggest one is that with more people on the roads, there’s going to be a lot more traffic congestion, delays, and accidents.

Crowd control in a pedestrian environment is entirely different than crowd control of vehicles. Outside of blocking off certain streets, there’s little that can be done in regards to crowds of drivers on the road. We’ve compiled a list of tips for our readers to follow to help them keep safe while on the roads.

·         Before you leave on your trip, check on your car. All maintenance needed should be done so you don’t run into any problems while on the road. Fill up your gas tank as well. A trip that normally takes two hours may take three or four with heavy traffic, so have a full tank of gas!

·         Try to avoid driving during peak travel times. Friday afternoon is predicted to be the worst time for travel this upcoming weekend. If possible, leave earlier on Friday or Saturday morning for lighter traffic. Monday, get on the road in the early afternoon or wait until later that night to avoid more peak traffic.

·         While you are actually on the roads, be a defensive driver. Keep a close eye on traffic patterns and keep your speed to an acceptable level. Everyone is in a hurry to enjoy their weekend, but speeding can be very dangerous, especially when there is a great deal of traffic. Give yourself extra time to get to your destination, and don’t rush.

·         If you have been drinking, are tired, or are distracted, get off the road. It’s not worth risking your life to get to a destination. Have someone else drive in these circumstances, or wait until you are safely able to operate a vehicle.

·         Be patient. Accept that you will run into traffic. The road is not just for you, so take your time and respect others who are on the road.

That’s not to say you shouldn’t go out and have a great weekend. You should! Just exercise proper precautions, and have a great time! 

The Ocean and Safety

It’s summer, and a popular destination for vacation is, understandably, the beach. A day at the beach can make for some great memories. However the ocean comes with a huge host of dangers, some from the water itself, and some from the people. It’s important to practice safety when you head to the ocean for the day.

First, we want to address the issue of crowd safety.

Be aware of the time of day and year that you are going to the beach. If possible, avoid going around major holidays, when many other people will be heading to the beach. Huge crowds can be a problem for a number of reasons. More people means less attention for you from the lifeguards, simply because there are so many people to watch. If you have children, it is easy for them to get lost in big crowds and harder for you to keep an eye on them. This goes for both in and out of the water. Out of the water be sure your children are nearby. In the water, keep a close eye on your child while they swim. Even better, always go in the water with them.

You also have to be selective of what beach you choose. If you are taking children make sure the beach you select is family friendly. If not, be sure the beach has the type of crowd you want to participate in. Some beaches have rowdy crowds, forcing you to take extra safety precautions.

The other thing we want to address is water safety.

The best thing you can do when swimming in the ocean is swim with a swim buddy. In addition, always swim within view of a lifeguard. When you take these steps if something goes wrong it is easier to get help. The leading cause of swimming related incidents has to do with rip currents. Read up on the specifics of rip currents so you know how to escape if you get caught in one. Be sure to watch out for aquatic life as well. People know to watch for sharks, but that’s not the only danger out there. Jellyfish, and even some plants can be dangerous, so keep your distance.

Another tip is to always keep your eye on the weather. Check the forecast before you go, and periodically while you are there. If you see lightning, even in the distance, get out of the water. Weather conditions can change very quickly, so you need to be paying attention.

We don’t say any of this to dissuade anyone from heading to the beach for vacation. The ocean is a fascinating, relaxing, and fun thing to experience. We simply remind you that despite this, there are dangers to be aware of. Use common sense, stay safe, and enjoy the beach! 

Kids and Crowds

We are early into the month of July, which is prime vacation season. Maybe you are going on a big trip to a tourist destination such as Disney World. Maybe you have big events you plan on attending, such as big fairs and festivals. Or perhaps it’s something as simple as a company picnic. No matter what the event, keeping track of children in a crowd can be a huge challenge.

You can make this much less stressful on yourself with a bit of planning and preparation. For the most part, keeping track of kids in crowds uses the same basic strategies no matter the venue you may be in. The strategy does change however, based on the age of the kids. There is a big difference between watching a child who is 4, and one who is 14.

No matter what the ages are though, the most important thing to do is be sure your family has some type of action plan. This includes many things. First, you should have a meeting place picked out in case of emergency. This place should be a safe distance from the crowded festival grounds, but not too far away. Similarly, there should be a dedicated spot within the event venue to meet if separated.

Another good idea for all members of the family is to take a family photo before you go. That way if something happens, you have a recent picture available and you won’t be faced trying to explain what your child looks like or what they are wearing.

For younger kids, it’s a good idea to make them stand out so they are easy to spot. Maybe dress them in bright colors you can easily see, or in something they wear often so you’ll know to look for it. If they have a favorite hat they wear on a near daily basis that is something your eyes will naturally drift to.   

You should also put your phone number somewhere on your child, whether it is on paper in their pocket, or written on their arm. This will make it easy to get in contact with you if you end up separated, especially for young ones who may have a hard time remembering a phone number.

And of course, teach your children about who to go to for help. While the police is the most obvious choice, that may not always be possible. Advise them to go to information booths. If that fails, they should talk to women who have young children, as they are likely mothers with children who would be willing to help. 

These tips should give you a bit of peace of mind while you are out in crowds with your children. Don’t let the crowds stop you from taking children out, just be prepared! 

Crowd Control for Outdoor Events

Summer is here, and with summer comes a large increase in outdoor events. There’s a huge variety of events that take place in summer, in all sorts of venues. Whether you are hosting a small church festival or a large, international music festival in the middle of the city, you need the proper items to control crowds, and you need to manage the crowds in an appropriate manner.

We’re here to offer solutions. Keeping track of crowds in these conditions isn’t easy, but it is doable when you go in with the correct strategy.

The first step is to find out exactly how much space you have, and have a rough estimate of how many attendees you are expecting. That will dictate how you move forward. The venue also makes a big difference. If you are holding an event in a street, you need a lot of coverage so no vehicles interfere. If it is in a park, there must be clear signage so attendees know where exactly they are to go.

Another important aspect that must be quickly decided is how to establish a perimeter. This is needed to keep track of who is coming in and who is coming out. Some venues already have a clear perimeter set up, but many do not. For those that do not, you have to determine what type of perimeter you plan to use. A popular option is to use some sort of fencing or barrier, which can easily be purchased. You may also choose to have personnel positioned around the perimeter, whether it is volunteers or security. This perimeter is important for security, so be sure you have a plan.

Speaking of planning, you need to have a plan for managing your crowds in case of safety concerns. Consider what may go wrong, no matter how big or small. What if there is inclement weather? There would be a plan in place for alerting attendees and informing them of where to go. What about other things, such as a child getting separated from their guardian? There needs to be specific locations to deal with these sorts of situations, with safe crowd control measures in place.

You must also have a security plan in place. Are you planning to hire security? Work with local or state agencies? Have that established far in advanced. Give them whatever information you can. This includes information about the event, expected attendance, different events being held at the event, and more.

And don’t forget that you need to keep your guests happy. Your crowd control efforts should serve their purpose, but they should not make guests feel unwelcome. Guests should not be afraid of security or feel threatened walking into your event. You want to make this event fun and memorable for your guests.

A lot goes into planning an outdoor event, and this is only some of it. We hope these tips will prove useful, and that your next outdoor event will be a success!

Crowds and Memorial Day

Memorial Day weekend is fast approaching. Are you prepared to tackle the crowds? It is being predicted that a record number of Americans will be traveling during this holiday weekend. This is being attributed to the fact that it is cheaper to travel this year compared to last.

Everyone is excited for a long weekend, but if you plan to travel you have to be patient. As there will be so many people out and about, travel times are going to be slow. This is the case whether you travel by car or plane, so be prepared.

If you are driving, there are several steps you can take. If it is possible, for instance, try not to leave during peak travel time. This would be Friday night and Monday night. Can you get off early and leave Friday morning? Leave early on Memorial Day? This will go a long way. You should also be sure to fill up your gas tank before leaving. If you can avoid stopping for gas, you can avoid busy gas stations. It’s also a good idea to check on your car. Check your car’s fluids. Make sure your tires aren't low. You’d hate your trip to be ruined because of a setback like that.

Flying? Be sure to get to the airport early, as lines are likely to be long. Make it interesting by planning on activities to do at the airport if you have extra time. Get a meal. Go shopping. It’s better than being late, as with the crowds getting a new flight will be difficult. You can save extra time by checking in for your flight at home and printing your boarding pass. Another good idea is to set up your phone to get alerts if your flight is delayed. That way as soon as you know you can begin making backup arrangements.  

Once you are at your destination, it is up to you. If you’re going to a specific vacation spot such as the beach, get there early. If you are visiting friends or family, you won’t have as many issues.

So pack up and get ready for the long weekend!

May Day Facts

What do you know about May Day? Did you know that it is often used as a day of protest, prompting the use of crowd control?

May Day is celebrated on the first day of May. It is not as widely celebrated in the United States, as the Puritans looked down on it. As such, much of the tradition was dropped. However there are still multiple people out there who celebrate it and use it as a day of protest. So today we want to offer a bit of advice for when you are out and about today.

May Day, also known as International Workers Day, often sees many protests across the world. These protests often center around worker’s rights. While you are not particularly likely to run into trouble, it is good to exercise caution.

This year is particularly different, as individuals are using the occasion to also bring attention to police brutality. Some rallies will focus on labor issues, some on immigration issues, and some on police brutality issues. Some of these rallies will actually focus on all of them at once.

Be prepared for the possibility of traffic delays, public transportation delays, and more. This is particularly likely if you live in a big city. Check your local news to see if rallies are planned so you may adjust your route as necessary.