News
At a World Council of Churches (WCC) press conference at the Ecumenical Centre in Geneva on 15 May, two senior officers from the Geneva police force outlined security arrangements for the Pope’s historic visit to Geneva on 21 June, offering reassurances that the police are more than ready and well-equipped for such a visit.
The priority for Lieutenant-Colonel François Waridel, head of operations of the Geneva Cantonal Police and Major Patrick Puhl, superintendent of the traffic police, was ensuring both the safety of the general public and a successful and safe visit by His Holiness. They stressed they could rely on the collaboration of the WCC, the host of the Pope’s visit, and others involved in making the day a success. That also includes police forces from Canton Vaud, neighbouring French police forces, security officers from Vatican City, and of course the public.
The police outlined the infrastructure that would be placed around the city to obviate any difficulties.
“A cordon is to be set down, stretching from the Ecumenical Centre in Grand Saconnex to Palexpo, where the Pope will hold Mass,” said Waridel, who stressed that this decision was to allow for the greatest number of people to follow the Pope’s movements, whilst also minimizing the number of untoward incidents.
Of major concern to the police is “traffic and fluidity”. With between 40,000 and 50,000 extra visitors for the day, traffic jams were likely to be a problem.
“Those using the airport that day are advised to arrive three or four hours ahead of schedule, and to arrive by public transport – not by private car,” stressed Puhl.
There will be reinforced security at the airport as His Holiness arrives, but up until the public mass he will lead at Palexpo late in the afternoon, the arrangements will ensure that there will be normal access to the airport, albeit with additional security checks.
Once the Pope and his entourage have left the airport, the police want business to take place as normal, but in a safe and discrete way, which means that ‘international Geneva’ can continue to work and children will be able to attend school as normal.
At Chateau de Bossey, a security perimeter will be created by the Vaud police, with access only for those who have the right to be there.
Palexpo will have more security arrangements, and more police officers will be on duty than normal. The police will be very strict with those who do not follow directions and will not tolerate parking that is not permitted by the day’s arrangements. Those arriving from France will be encouraged to park in both Divonne and Vitam Neydens from where shuttle buses will transport them to Palexpo.
“Avoid driving to Palexpo. In Geneva itself a series of parking lots will be progressively opened during the day, with participants encouraged to arrive as early as possible. Furthermore, those with disabilities will have a drop-off point in front of Palexpo and for those who need to come in their own vehicles, there will be a parking lot very close to the building,” said Waridel.
A special lot will be set aside for cyclists in Grand Saconnex.
All those hoping to attend will be encouraged to follow updates, in particular the ‘Ligne Vert’ telephone: 0800 909 400 – which opens on 18 June – and social media.
In total, 500 shuttle buses on the day will take pilgrims from all over Geneva to Palexpo. No roads will actually be cut off unless a major change or security threat occurs.
Attendees will be searched for security purposes as they enter the secure area, but this will be under cover, and will be protected from the elements. A medical security plan was in place, with all hospitals in the region on alert; a helicopter is to be deployed for the day.
All in all, the Geneva police and others involved in the security arrangements around the Pope’s visit, are well prepared for the most high-profile visit to Geneva in a very long time.
