Apr 16, 2008 3:11 pm US/Eastern
Excitement Tempered With Caution For Papal Visit
NYPD Going All Out To Protect Pope Benedict XVI
Reporting
Jay Dow
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
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The NYPD is using hand-held wands and mobile radiation detection units to provide extra security during Pope Benedict XVI's visit to New York City.
CBS
Pope Benedict XVI arrives in New York Friday, and city officials are keeping details of his security plan top secret. CBS 2 has learned the NYPD will be working closely with the Secret Service, and thousands of officers will be working overtime.
The pope will stay on the Upper East Side during his visit, where after months of preparation, police have set up concrete blocks, mobile watchtowers, and put officers on standby well before the pope arrives.
These extreme security measure are usually reserved for presidential visits or the U.N. General Assembly, but the pope is equally revered in New York City.
"Whether you're Catholic, a Protestant, a Buddhist, I think he bestows some kind of a faith on you," said Maryann Abene. "Some kind of a feeling for your fellow man." Abene says she truly believes the pope has mass appeal.
"I'd love to be here to see him," added Abene. "In fact if I can make it I'm making it."
The excitement of the papal visit has been tempered with an intense network of security. The area where the pope will stay during his visit is a fortress surrounded by officers. Radiation detection stations will be set up at random intersections.
"It's extremely sensitive, not sensitive to the point that we're going to inconvenience people, but we'll know when something is there," said NYPD Counter Terrorism Inspector Brendan Sheerin.
Teams of officers have also been assigned to randomly inspect the subways. City officials warn the increased security will cause traffic congestion problems, and recommend the use of public transportation.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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