Central Security System Launches As Region Prepares for Pope's Visit

“Philadelphia might be the safest city on the planet,” Camden County Freeholder Jeff Nash joked Friday morning.

While it might not be the safest city on the planet, Nash might not have been that far off in his exaggeration.

More than 25 separate law enforcement agencies will be working together in order to ensure the safety and security of residents and visitors participating in the pilgrimage to Philadelphia to see Pope Francis this weekend.

At 8 a.m. Friday morning, the regional Joint Operations Center (JOC) overseeing safety and security for the Papal visit went live.

A group of volunteers will be crammed into a communications room in a secure location through Monday morning. They are tasked with receiving real time information through various camera feeds and pushing the information out.

They will be in constant contact with the security forces on the ground, including the Secret Service. They will keep an eye on traffic flow and any suspicious incidents.

They will also be in constant contact with State Police in Trenton, providing information for New York residents who may be concerned about family members making the pilgrimage.

In short, as soon as something happens, they’ll know it, and soon as they know it, someone will be on it.

“I want to thank the men and women who will be away from their families for the next 72 hours to ensure Camden County is safe,” Nash said. “Our professionals from the local level to the FBI have been diligently working and implementing the plan being put in motion today.”

“People will not get that one-on-one experience with the pope, but they will have that experience with our police officers,” Robin Blaker, Director of Public Safety in Camden County, said.

He said police officers and local residents will act as “ambassadors” for people from all over the world who will be attending the World Meeting of Families and hope to see Pope Francis.

Those making the pilgrimage will also have access to an interactive map on www.camdencounty.com where they can keep track of where traffic flow and locations of hydration stations, hospitals and port-a-potties.

Medical stations will be set up along walking paths that have been established for the historic occasion.

“Please remember that travel restrictions will be in place this weekend as safety is a primary concern for this event, but make no mistake this is a celebration and we want to do everything possible to act as a catalyst for anyone who wants to participate and see Pope Francis,” Camden County Freeholder Michelle Gentek-Mayer said. “This is a festive occasion and a historic weekend to see a man who is leading his flock to our region for a once in a lifetime event.”

Pope Francis will arrive in Philadelphia on Saturday. His itinerary is as follows:

Saturday, Sept. 26

• 8:40 a.m. Departure from John F. Kennedy International Airport
• 9:30 a.m. Arrival at Atlantic Aviation, Philadelphia
• 10:30 a.m. Mass at Cathedral Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul, Philadelphia
• 4:45 p.m. Visit to Independence Mall
• 7:30 p.m. Visit to the Festival of Families Benjamin Franklin Parkway

Sunday, Sept. 27

• 9:15 a.m. Meeting with bishops at at St. Martin’s Chapel, St. Charles Borromeo Seminary
• 11:00 a.m. Visit to Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility
• 4:00 p.m. Mass for the conclusion of the World Meeting of Families, Benjamin Franklin Parkway
• 7:00 p.m. Visit with organizers, volunteers and benefactors of the World Meeting of Families, Atlantic Aviation
• 8:00 p.m. Departure for Rome

The attached images are images from inside the secure central command as it operated Friday morning.