Security in Rome

[Tuckerfan]

In watching the wall-to-wall coverage of the Pope’s demise and all the folks milling around, I’ve not heard any mention of security proceedures being taken. Obviously, there’s the Swiss guards aroung the Pope’s body, and there’s fellows who look like ushers guiding folks around, and presumably they’ve got something like stunguns or pepperspray on them, if not firearms. I can’t help thinking, though, that with the huge numbers of folks making the trip to say farewell to the Pope that there’d have to be some kind of massive security precautions in place, since such and event would be a prime target for terrorists.

So, are they running folks through metal detectors or are they just trusting that no terrorist would be so foolish as to attack during this time.

[violacrane]

There ya go.

The city swung into action within hours of the Pope’s death, nominating a special commissioner to co-ordinate the event and drawing up plans covering emergency accommodation, transport and security.

Italy’s police chief has said that almost 6,500 officers will be mobilised to help bolster the city’s security.
Already, roads surrounding the Vatican are closed to traffic.
At least 200 policemen are filtering pilgrims on to the piazza while plain-clothed agents circle the balconies overlooking the square.

Centuries of practice and a bit of faith. Don’t forget that Rome was having civil wars while most of the world’s capitals were still green fields.

[BobT]

The papal funeral would likely not be a target of a mass attack because nobody would have the time to plan a big scale thing.

But it’s not hard to believe that there are a lot of disgruntled people out there who could be carrying a gun or some other weapon.

[Tuckerfan]

@BobT

The papal funeral would likely not be a target of a mass attack because nobody would have the time to plan a big scale thing.

But it’s not hard to believe that there are a lot of disgruntled people out there who could be carrying a gun or some other weapon.

That’s assuming they’d never planned to attack there to being with (it’s pretty much always a tourist attraction, and now, it’s a larger one), and I imagine it doesn’t take a heckuvalota time to wire some nutbag up with a bunch of explosives and a detonator.

[BobT]

Well the nutbag with a detonator is a lot easier to find than say, somebody planning to crash a jet into St. Peter’s Square.

If there were a terrorist who could be traced to a particular country during this particular event, that country would be facing some serious heat from Europe and the U.S.

[GorillaMan]

The security around St Peter’s has been tight for a long time. Don’t forget that a gunman did try to kill him in the 1980s. Discreetly tucked away under all the arches around the perimeter of the square are lots of airport-style metal detectors, which obviously swing into use for any papal appearance.

[muldoonthief]

Rome has lots of machine-gun armed police in it. The armed guards in St. Peters Square aren’t quite as obvious, but definitely present - when I was there in the early 90’s, a plainclothes guard’s jacket got caught in the wind, and he had what appeared to be a very compact machine pistol strapped to his ribs. After seeing that, we stopped trying to sneak into the Basilica with shorts on.

[Kizarvexius]

@muldoonthief

Rome has lots of machine-gun armed police in it. The armed guards in St. Peters Square aren’t quite as obvious, but definitely present - when I was there in the early 90’s, a plainclothes guard’s jacket got caught in the wind, and he had what appeared to be a very compact machine pistol strapped to his ribs. After seeing that, we stopped trying to sneak into the Basilica with shorts on.

I had a very similar experience in 93. I was walking towards the front doors of the Basilica and a gentleman tapped me on the shoulder. He told me that I would have to hand over my backpack at a security office, where I could claim it when my visit was over. As he pointed out the location of the office, his tweed jacked flapped open to reveal a machine gun on a sling. I did what I was told with many apologies.

Remember. The Swiss Guards are extremely vigilant, and only a few of them at any given time are parading around in brightly colored pantaloons. They are not people that you want to mess around with.