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Phila. Police Commissioner Discusses Security For Upcoming Papal Visit

By Walt Hunter

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Philadelphia Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey says the department is working with a network of agencies, including the FBI and Secret Service, to provide security and crowd control for the upcoming Papal visit.

Ramsey told CBS 3's Walt Hunter in a one-on-one interview that he expects at least a million people during the Pope's visit.

The first priority, keeping the Pontiff safe.  The Commissioner explaining, "you have the obvious security concerns with anyone as high profile as him."

Ramsey explained the department is well prepared to deal with large crowds, which, in the past, have included the Phillies World Series Victory Parade, and Made in America celebrations.

Since the last Papal Visit in 1979, police have new generations of tools to guide and control crowds, most importantly: social networking.

"We will be keeping it real with providing information on Twitter and Facebook," the Commissioner stated.

Facing crowds even larger than recent events, police plan to create special access paths called " chutes" that will allow emergency personnel to get to anyone needing assistance.

The Commissioner explained that the department has actually been planning for the Papal Visit since the possibility was first made public months ago.  However, he says, that planning will now move into high gear as more is learned about the Pope's schedule of events.

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