South Jersey Ready To Handle Papal Visit, Officials Claim
By David Madden
LINDENWOLD, N.J. (CBS) -- If you live in southern New Jersey and are making plans to see Pope Francis in Philadelphia in late September, you might want to keep your options open. Local officials say they're getting ready and that safety is a top priority.
Law enforcement from Camden, Burlington and Gloucester Counties will set up shop in the Camden County Communications Center in Lindenwold, and officials admit the Papal weekend will be a challenge for all involved.
But until the Secret Service sets their plan in stone, and that's not expected for a few more weeks, they have to keep their plans flexible.
Take John Hanson, CEO at the Delaware River Port Authority. There are now published suggestions that the Ben Franklin Bridge might be shut down to vehicular traffic. Hanson won't go down that road, telling reporters "I think it would be reckless to speculate about that and potentially put information out into the public consciousness that wouldn't be right."
It comes down, Hanson says, to what roads coming off the span into Philadelphia will be shut down, if any. The Pontiff will be at Independence Hall on Saturday, an event that could prompt a closure to access roads to the bridge.
But regardless of what happens to cars on the span, Hanson did say the walkway across the bridge will be open. And that could prove to be an option for some people.
As for those PATCO passes that, along with Freedom Cards, will be the only way to access the high-speed line that weekend, Hanson says about a thousand have been sold so far. They expect to carry some 100,000 people each day during Pope Francis' visit.
Law enforcement from throughout South Jersey have been practicing for the late September visit since last September. And suggestions that Philadelphia and South Jersey don't work together on big occasions like this are being dismissed by those who know better.
"Philadelphia and South Jersey are inexplicably linked on an everyday basis for a variety of reasons," says Robin Blaker, Camden County's Director of Public Safety, " and it will only intensify by dropping approximately 2 million people in the area."
Of course, that's on the Philadelphia side.
Blaker says a 700 Megahertz radio system in place in much of South Jersey for the last three years will enhance communications with agencies on both sides of the river.
One issue still unresolved is whether the federal government will provide any reimbursement for the costs being borne by law enforcement agencies in ramping up for the pope's visit. No one on the federal level has addressed that.
The city of Camden is setting aside space for up to 1,100 charter buses, if needed. But passengers would be on their own for getting into Philadelphia if they are dropped off in Camden.
Officials are offering the same advice heard time again from their counterparts in Philadelphia. Plan as best you can. Be patient. And be prepared to do a lot of walking.
