Massive screening for papal bridge pedestrians

Police will face a massive task in screening the 100,000 pedestrians a day expected to cross the Ben Franklin Bridge from New Jersey to see the pope in Philadelphia next month.

If 100,000 people are screened, that would be four times as many people as are screened at Philadelphia International Airport on an average day.

Law enforcement officials briefed on bridge security plans said all papal visitors would be individually screened before they crossed the bridge. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk about the plans.

If there were 50 screening stations and each person was screened in 30 seconds, it would take more than 16 hours to screen everyone.

Officials for Camden County and the Delaware River Port Authority, which operates the bridge, would not detail security plans for Pope Francis' visit on Sept. 26 and 27.

"This is going to be an all-hands-on-deck event," said county spokesman Dan Keashen, who declined to comment on any screening plans. "All members of law enforcement are stepping up."

"I would expect long lines and some inconvenience for pilgrims who are coming for the papal visit," he said. "There is going to be a significant amount of density and a significant law enforcement response."

John Hanson, chief executive of the DRPA, said Wednesday at a news conference with Mayor Nutter that authorities plan to "vigorously protect" the bridge and everyone crossing.

Hanson would not say what screening would be done or how.

Kyle Anderson, a spokesman for the DRPA, said Thursday: "We're not prepared to discuss any elements of the security operation at this time."

The DRPA also operates the PATCO transit line between South Jersey and Center City. Anderson declined Thursday night to discuss PATCO's security plans.

The Ben Franklin Bridge will be closed to vehicle traffic from 10 p.m. Sept. 25, to noon Sept. 28.

Three of the bridge's seven lanes will be open to pedestrians, with the remaining four designated for use by emergency and law enforcement vehicles.

Keashen denied reports that Camden County prison guards would screen pedestrians.

A SEPTA spokeswoman said Thursday night that the transit agency had no plans to screen passengers, though because of expected crowded conditions amid service reductions, it advises people to carry only items that will fit in their lap when riding.

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Inquirer staff writer Robert Moran contributed to this article.