NYPD To Hunt For Drones During Pope Francis’ Visit In The Fall

angelburst29

The Living Force
New York City is one of our busiest cites in the Nation, even during normal everyday conditions.

The Pope's visit is going to bottleneck - the whole downtown area, on and off, for a period of two days (Sept. 24-26).

Considering, what they have in mind for security, I think it would be "safer" to avoid - downtown New York - altogether? If I lived and worked there, I would consider asking for vacation-time, for those few days. I get the unsettling feeling, if something would happened like a false flag event or whatever, people would be trapped and unable to escape because of “unprecedented” security?

NYPD To Hunt For Drones During Pope Francis’ Visit In The Fall
http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2015/07/31/pope-francis-nyc-visit-madison-square-garden-mass/

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) — Part of the plan to keep Pope Francis safe during his New York City visit is to create a safety net so tight that hundreds of thousands of rush hour commuters might need divine intervention to get home.

Counter-sniper teams, frozen zones for cars and pedestrians and radiation detectors are expected. CBS2’s Marcia Kramer has learned there’s even a request for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority to shut down Midtown trains.

Kramer was told exclusive details about what officials say is “unprecedented” security for the papal visit.

Penn Station is the busiest train station in North America, with some 600,000 commuters using the six subway lines, the Long Island Rail Road, NJ Transit and Amtrak. So Pope Francis’ plan to offer Mass right above the station at Madison Square Garden at 6 p.m. on Sept. 25, right in the middle of rush hour, has law enforcment officials on hyper drive, worried about terrorism.

“You could potentially put some sort of bomb, explosive device there,” security expert manny Gomez told Kramer.

Sources told CBS2 that officials are working on a plan to close station entrances and have trains bypass Penn Station while the pope is there. It will be similar to the plan used during the 2004 Republican convention when President George W. Bush spoke. That time, police closed:

* Both entrances to Amtrak on Eighth Avenue, at 31st and at 33rd streets

* The two entrances in the middle of the block — the old taxiway

* All four subway entrances on Eighth and 33rd for the A, C and E trains

Federal, state and local officials have been working with the Swiss Guard since January on plans to protect the pope. Sources told CBS2
the unprecedented measures will include:

* Sniper teams with long rifles on rooftops

* Massive frozen zones for vehicular and pedestrian traffic

* No truck traffic and no parking before and during events

* Cameras and radiation detectors

* Helicopter to look for gunmen

* A hunt for drones


That’s a real concern for us. (Pope Francis) is a different knid of person. He likes to get out and be with people and so we’re going to be monitoring the airspace for any drone activity,” NYPD Deputy Chief Salvatore DiPace said.

And while so far there has been no specific thrat, officials are worred about ISIS, al Qaeda and lone wolves, Kramer reported.

“If and when pope gets out of his already exposd vehicle and tries to mingle with the crowd, could there potentially be somebody there that is set on hurting him — that’s the wild card law enforcement can’t anticipate,” Gomez said.

As the pope’s visit approaches, sources told Kramer the NYPD will conduct random bomb sweeps at all the locations the Holy Father is scheduled to be at.

And while Penn Station will be a challenge to negotiate, the LIRR will add extra trains for people who want to attend the Mass.

Pope Francis will be in New York from Sept. 24-26, Kramer reported.
 
News and schedule on the Pope's visit in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Major highways, Ben Franklin bridge to close for pope visit
http://6abc.com/religion/major-highways-ben-franklin-bridge-to-close-for-pope-visit/904413/

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) --
Major highways and the Ben Franklin bridge will close and traffic will be restricted in the city during Pope Francis' visit to Philadelphia.

In the announcement on Wednesday afternoon, Mayor Michael Nutter said some 1.5 million people expected to be in the city for the event.

"Think of it: 1.5 million visitors in addition to our 1.5 million residents who have to move around the city in their daily lives," Nutter said.

The details:

MAJOR HIGHWAYS

The following highway closures will start at 10 p.m. on Friday, September 25th:

*I-76 eastbound from I-476 to I-95

*I-76 westbound from I-95 to US Route 1

*I-676 will be closed in both directions from I-76 to I-95

*US Route 1 will be closed in both directions from US Route 30 to Belmont Avenue, because Pope Francis is staying at Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary.

*I-95 WILL REMAIN OPEN with selected ramps closed

BEN FRANKLIN BRIDGE

*The Ben Franklin bridge will also close to vehicular traffic on Friday, September 25th at 10 p.m. until 12 p.m. on Monday, September 28th. The only vehicles allowed will be emergency vehicles.

*The bridge will be used as a pedestrian crossing.

TRAFFIC BOX

Meanwhile, Mayor Nutter announced what's being called a 'traffic box' for parts of Center City and West Philadelphia.

The traffic box for Center City will begin at 6 p.m. on Friday, September 25th, while the traffic box for West Philadelphia will begin at 10 p.m.

Vehicles will be allowed out of the traffic box, but will not be able to re-enter. However, drivers will be able to travel inside the traffic box.

There will be authorized vehicle access roads for emergency vehicles only.

There will be no SEPTA bus service or trolley service within the traffic box.

Bicycle and pedestrian traffic WILL be allowed inside the traffic box.

It's not yet known if taxis will be allowed to operate inside the traffic box.

Boundaries are as follows for the Center City traffic box:

*North Boundary: Spring Garden to Ridge, Ridge to Girard, Girard to the Schuylkill River

*South Boundary: South Street, from the Delaware River to the Schuylkill River

*East Boundary: Delaware Avenue from South Street to Spring Garden Street.

*West Boundary: Along the edge of the Schuylkill River, up Kelly Drive, stopping just below the Girard Avenue Bridge.


Boundaries are as follows for the West Philadelphia traffic box:

*North Boundary: Powelton Avenue, from 32nd street to 38th

*South Boundary: University Avenue to Grays Ferry

*East Boundary: Edge of Schuylkill River and the train tracks

*West Boundary: 38th Street from Powelton Avenue to University Avenue



The World Meeting of Families will start on Tuesday, September 22nd. Pope Francis will visit on Saturday, September 26th and Sunday, September 27th.

The itinerary for the pope includes eight public events in the city, including his arrival and departure from Atlantic Aviation.

He'll visit the Independence Mall, the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary, the Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility, and of course, the Ben Franklin Parkway.

The archdiocese is expecting a million and a half people to crowd the Parkway as the pope celebrates an open air mass at 4 p.m. Sunday

Earlier in the day he will celebrate mass at the Cathedral Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul. That will be an invitation only event with tickets issued to just 1,600 people.

The pope will be staying at St. Charles Boromeo Seminary on City Avenue. He will greet the seminarians there when he arrives Saturday.

Sunday morning at the seminary he will address the cardinals and bishops who will be in town for the World Meeting of Families. He will then head to Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility in Northeast Philadelphia where he will meet with prisoners and select families.

FULL ITINERARY

Saturday, September 26

Morning:
Private Arrival: Atlantic Aviation
The Cathedral Mass with Pope Francis: The Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul

Afternoon:

Greeting of the Holy Father by the Seminarians of Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary:
Exterior Front Steps of Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary
"We Hold These Truths... :" Independence Hall (Outdoor; Overlooking Independence Mall)
Address by Pope Francis (Expected Themes: Religious Liberty and Immigration)

Evening:
The Festival of Families: The Benjamin Franklin Parkway

Sunday, September 27

Morning:
Address to Cardinals + Bishops attending World Meeting of Families - Philadelphia 2015:
Saint Martin's Chapel at Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary
Visit with Prisoners and Select Families:
Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility

Afternoon:
The Papal Mass: The Benjamin Franklin Parkway (Projected: 4 p.m. EST)

Evening:
A Celebration of World Meeting of Families - Philadelphia 2015 Supporters + Volunteers:
Atlantic Aviation

Official Departure Ceremony: Atlantic Aviation
 
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