Sydney set for security crackdown

BY MICK ROBERTS

While Sydneysiders will not be lumbered with the same security headaches as last year’s APEC summit, they can expect July’s World Youth Day will cause inconveniences through road closures and crowd management arrangements.
Police have returned from the United States where they followed Pope Benedict’s recent trip to gain an insight into security measures.
Commander of the NSW Police World Youth Day Security Operation, Deputy Commissioner Dave Owens said dignitary protection officers went to the United States where more than 55,000 people attended a papal service in Washington and more than 60,000 were at a Mass in New York.
‘We sent two experienced officers to the United States to observe the Papal visit and it was encouraging to learn that our preparations are exceptionally well advanced,’ Deputy Commissioner Owens said.
‘We started our planning for World Youth Day almost two years ago and looked at the crowd management, traffic, transport, and resource and security requirements from past World Youth Day events.
‘The Sydney crowds will be well in excess of those experienced in the US but it is important to learn that many aspects of the NSW Police World Youth Day Security Command plans mirror the arrangements that the US Secret Service had in place for the visit of His Holiness,’ he said.
Police say the event should not be compared to last year’s APEC meeting. Although security is a key component, World Youth Day will be treated as a ‘festival and celebration’ which will draw hundreds of thousands of visitors in the CBD and Randwick Racecourse.
Deputy Commissioner Owens said police will be ensuring the safety of pilgrims as they travel to and from the various venues, and have response plans in place.
‘Some of those plans include well tested counter terrorism responses, and emergency management arrangements,’ he said.
Over the last few weeks the state’s police, fire brigades, and ambulance service have been carrying out World Youth Day training exercises, including motorcade rehearsals.
The World Youth Day Security Command has also been involved in planning crowd management, traffic and transport arrangements and security.
The planning has involved emergency services and stakeholders such as the RTA, Maritime NSW, State Rail, Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority, and the City of Sydney Council.
‘We will be employing similar strategies to those of previous major events in Sydney to ensure the appropriate numbers of police were available.
‘This includes a leave embargo, postponement of training, and a number of courts matters being put over until after World Youth Day,’ Deputy Commissioner Owens said. Police are also advising those intending or coming into the CBD for World Youth Day should plan their journey and check for event updates by visiting www.wyd2008.org or www.wydca.nsw.gov.au