Planning and Managing Security for Major Special Events: Guidelines for Law Enforcement LESSON PLAN FOR MODULE 8: TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORTATION LESSON PLAN Unit: Module 8: Traffic and Transportation Slide 1: Title Slide Number of Hours: 1 Goals: This module provides students with theoretical and practical information regarding the planning function for traffic and transportation at major special events. Learning Objectives: The student will: Slide 2: Learning Objectives 1. Identify key transportation and traffic components of security planning for major special events. 2. Identify special considerations related to air space protection, security checkpoints, motorcades, and emergency vehicle access. 3. Identify best practices from other cities. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [BEGINNING OF CONTENT] I. Key Components of Traffic and Transportation Slide 3: Key Components * Planning, Planning, Planning 1. Planning is the most important aspect. 2. Must be done by all involved. * Communication 1. Keep lines of communication open. 2. The fewer surprises the better. * Teamwork 1. Set aside “turf wars.” 2. All in this together = successful event. * Debriefing 1. Second most important thing. 2. Lessons learned/good and bad. 3. Constructive criticism. * Special Traffic Concerns 1. Motorcades. 2. Cruising. 3. Large events. 4. Aircraft/helicopter access and airspace protection. II. Key Questions Slides 4-5: Key Questions Throughout the process of planning transportation and traffic security, students should ask themselves the following key questions: * Do we have adequate security staffing and assignments for motorcades carrying VIPs? * Do we have adequate motorcade route plans and contingency route plans? * Have all personnel involved in motorcade security been briefed on the plans? * Do we have maps showing anticipated traffic patterns for spectators coming to and leaving the event? * Have we conducted risk assessments for all transportation modes—vehicle traffic, mass transit (buses, subways, trains), marine traffic, and more? III. Planning Slides 6-7: Planning Various entities are involved in planning. If there is even the slightest possibility that they could be involved, they should attend the planning meetings. All jurisdictions that may be involved must be included in the planning. It’s also important to develop a relationship between the public and private sector: * Papal visit to Denver included two sheriff’s departments, five police departments, and many federal agencies. * Presidential visits include at the minimum Secret Service and all the law enforcement entities that the motorcade may go through. Include the public transit agencies and barricade and tow companies (need barricades to block streets, tow trucks to remove vehicles). Citizens of the affected areas must be kept apprised of the situation (if security permits): * Use neighborhood organizations and flyers. * May have little time to do this – use the media to forewarn on traffic congestion and street closures. Acknowledge that all stakeholders have different interest in the event * Assign specific tasks to each stakeholder. * Communicate and work together to develop routes and parking plans. Begin planning as soon as you find out about the event. That may be months in advance (typical major special events) or only days (dignitary visits). IV. Problem areas Slide 8: Problem Areas A. Roads: * Construction and closures * Amount of traffic disrupted (time of day/volume of traffic) * Inside and outside the jurisdiction B. Airports: * Open or closed airspace * Landing area and access to and from via roadways * Potential for crowds/protestors C. Airspace: * If a motorcade, “no-fly rule” in effect – no aircraft above the motorcade * Decision falls to Secret Service, assistance by air support units of police or sheriff * May utilize military aircraft if needed (could depend on security concerns) * Federal Aviation Administration makes decisions http://www.faa.gov/ Railways: * Hazardous materials being transported during the event. * Blocked traffic during entry and exit times. Could present a major planning issue for motorcades V. Communication Slide 9: Communication The key to success is communication. During the planning stages, all the involved individuals will be attending the meetings. Hopefully, concerns and issues will be raised and addressed. Communication, as noted before, also extends to those outside of the planning. Citizens * Those in involved areas should be notified if time and/or security permit. * Those who utilize the roads need to be apprised of the closures and possible traffic congestion that may occur. * In Denver, on big events (NBA All Star Game in February, 2005) the media ran stories on the road closures and parking plans for about a week prior. * On short turnaround events such as Presidential motorcades, attempts are made to give as much information as security allows. VI. Teamwork Slide 10: Teamwork Teamwork must occur for the success of the event. * Events change by the hour, and often on a minute-by- minute basis. * Again, communication will allow the correct response. * Expect the unexpected: * Weather * Traffic crashes/unforeseen traffic jams * Mechanical difficulties * Crowds – hostile and peaceful * Be prepared for alternate route usage or deviation from the traffic plan. VII. Special Traffic Concerns Slide 11: Special Traffic Concerns A. Motorcades Slides 12-16: Motorcades * Large amount of planning in a short period. * Can often utilize the same routes used previously * Involved local and federal and often state entities o Secret Service (if party is afforded Secret Service protection) makes the ultimate decisions on the route and other motorcade and security related issues. * Involved jurisdiction usually runs the motorcade (if they have proper training and equipment). * Closed or open routes are decided by the USSS, including use of fixed post assignments to cover intersections and highway on-ramps. Slide 13: Continued * If needed (or if manpower is an issue), use large equipment to block the roadways. * May also need to utilize civilian volunteers or others to post at nonhazardous roadways (apartment building entrances, driveways, etc.). * Of course, the use of the equipment and the civilians is at the discretion of the Secret Service. B. Representatives from other jurisdictions Question for class: Should a representative from every jurisdiction that the motorcade passes through or whose officers are used be involved in the motorcade itself? If so how? If not, how do you manage communications? Here are some important questions to ask in motorcade planning: Slide 14: Questions * Do we have adequate staffing and post assignments? * Have all security staff been briefed on the motorcade plans? * Do we have secure vehicles to transport VIPs (swept and inspected)? * Do we have adequate security vehicles surrounding the VIP vehicles (e.g., cruisers, motorcycles)? * Are motorcade communications on a separate channel so they can be in constant communication with each other? * Are command post personnel monitoring the motorcade communications channel? Slide 15:Questions Continued * Have we blocked off and secured critical intersections on the travel route? * Do we have tow trucks on standby to clear blocked routes? * What considerations have we given to spectators or bystanders along the routes? Slide 16:Questions Continued' * Have we done adequate countersurveillance on the traffic route to look for suspicious vehicles, rooftop/tower/overpass vantage points, and other vulnerable areas? C. Cruising Slides 17: Cruising Cruising consists of large amounts of very slow-moving traffic, often in a small or contained area. It also includes large amounts of pedestrian traffic. Cruising may be planned (Cinco de Mayo in Denver) or spontaneous. * Cinco de Mayo o Involves one street, Federal Blvd. (a major north/south thoroughfare) o Police attempt to meet with car clubs to set ground rules. Police meet with neighborhood groups to advise of plans for heavy traffic for about 7 miles. There is a heavy police presence. Slide 18: Cruising Continued o One lane coned off – designated as “emergency vehicles only” o Side-streets barricaded – only residents allowed through * Spontaneous o May need large police presence if traffic is disrupted o Traffic dispersal through use of barricades or citations o Use motorcycle officers or bicycle officers initially to get through traffic D. Large Events Slide 19: Large Events Usually football games, fireworks shows, etc. Involves large amounts of slow traffic for a short (1 – 2 hour) duration. Tends to be very labor-intensive for duration of traffic flow in/out. Usually involves people (if sporting event) going to same place (same lot). Usually, police implement the traffic plan and the sports team or venue educates the patrons. * Milwaukee Experience Slide 20: Milwaukee Milwaukee, "A Great Place on a Great Lake," has also advertised itself as the "City of Festivals," emphasizing an annual lakefront fair called Summerfest. Listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the largest music festival in the world, Summerfest attracts around 900,000 visitors a year to its 12 stages. Along with Summerfest, Milwaukee is home to a variety of ethnic and themed festivals throughout the summer. Held primarily on the lakefront Summerfest grounds, these festivals span several days (typically Friday plus the weekend) and celebrate Milwaukee's history and diversity. In a typical season, the 'Fests are kicked off by PrideFest in early June and are concluded with Indian Summer in early September. Polish, Greek, French, Italian, German, African- American, Arab, Irish, Native American, and Mexican heritages are celebrated throughout the summer. o Many events spread through the city o Many problems such as traffic congestions, neighborhood parking problems and security concerns such as emergency vehicle ingress and egress o Utilization of Wisconsin Dept. of Transportation’s Traffic Operations Center to assist in moving traffic ? Cameras ? Traffic sensors ? Calls from public o Public education through use of the private sector ? Sports teams advising ticket holders ? Use of the media to help public with ingress and egress routes ? Harley Davidson and their dealers advising visitors of possible traffic problems o Multiagency approach ? Various law enforcement agencies ? Department of Transportation ? Involved private sector entities * Nashville Experience Slide 21: Nashville o Natural barrier next to Titans Coliseum is the Cumberland River o Only 7,500 parking spaces on site, reserved for season ticket holders o Vehicle access to stadium is via three exits on I-24] o See below link for example of street closings www.nashville.gov/pw/road_closures.htm#titans * Planning: o Color coordinated ingress routes for season ticket holders o Use of street closures to ensure traffic movement o Communication with neighborhoods o Media outreach o Rapid traffic response to address traffic concerns and issues which may arise o Pre-game planning and post-game critiques Lessons learned: ? Reinforce with attendees the proper routes (Communication) ? Utilize the media in a comprehensive public information plan ? Never underestimate the affect that pedestrians will have on the flow of traffic and consequently the traffic plan VIII. Aircraft/Helicopter Access and Airspace Protection Slide 22: Aircraft Helicopter/Airspace For some larger special events, law enforcement must be concerned about aircraft flying overhead. Since 9/11, the "Black Sunday" scenario is a real possibility for major special events held in stadiums. After 9/11, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) began to issue more temporary flight restrictions (TFR) over major special events, especially stadiums used for the National Football League, Major League Baseball, large NCAA football games (e.g., Division I), and large NASCAR events. Typical TFRs restrict small aircraft from flying within 3 miles from the center of the stadium and below 3,000 feet above ground level. Another concern is the security at small airports near major event stadiums. Law enforcement agencies planning major special events should meet with local airport managers and review their security plans. Some larger events, like NASCAR races, also draw a number of helicopter landings and takeoffs (usually transporting VIPs) within the stadium infield. Law enforcement agencies planning major special events that involve helicopter flights should meet with the flight services and establish security guidelines. Only for very large and significant special events, such as NSSEs, is it common to plan for airspace protection, surveillance, and interdiction. IX. Debriefing (specific to traffic and transportation) Slide 23: Debriefing Debriefing is a learning experience. Discuss the good and the bad. A. Expect constructive criticism * Following every motorcade, the Denver Police Department motorcycle unit has a critique of the motorcade. * Each officer is asked what he or she saw and did wrong (i.e., missed assignments, bad riding, etc.). It turns into a training tool. When mistakes are pointed out, not forgotten, the next motorcade is better. B. Examine the good that occurred * Give praise to those who went “above and beyond”. * If deviation from the plan, discuss why it occurred and why it worked. C. How can we do better? * Look at the compliments/complaints from both inside the group and outside the group. * What do the media say? The media may have a unique perspective that serve as a learning tool. * Ask the emergency responders on the event/motorcade what was good and bad. Slide 24: Conclusion Slide 25: Tabletop Exercises X. Tabletop Exercise and Student Worksheets A tabletop exercise was introduced in Module 1 and is used to demonstrate the need for pre-planning for major special events. The instructor should refer the class back to the tabletop exercise, anchoring teaching points to a common theme throughout the course. Students should also work on the “Lessons to Learn” worksheet. The instructor should ask students to spend a few minutes completing this document, which will help them research and gain deeper knowledge about this particular topic. Students should also work on the “Personal Action Plan” worksheet. This worksheet is designed to help students develop specific steps, actions, or contacts and will help them relate the material to events they are responsible for in their own jurisdictions. Slide 26: Break