The next Pan American and Parapan American Games in Toronto Games will not only be the biggest sports event ever in Canada, will be in the country in the middle of the largest security operation ever.
Although there are no known threats to the games, which take place in July and August, the level of security after the attacks in Ottawa and Quebec has changed in October, said the superintendent of the Ontario Provincial Police. Alison Jevons, planners lead up to the Games.
"When we began this project a few years ago, we were at" low ". As the national threat level increases, we are now in" medium "."
The level of "medium" threat was also determined in the period prior to the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver. According to a report from the RCMP in 2012, so that security teams the flexibility to scale up or down operations based on intelligence about the Olympics.
Authorities said CBC News to monitor the potential extremist groups in the Greater Toronto Area during the day.
As part of its functions, security officials went to other important events, including the Super Bowl in Arizona, the Boston Marathon and the 2011 Pan American Games in Mexico in order to observe their security protocols, said the inspector. Brian Preston, who works for the Toronto Police Service and is responsible for securing more than half of the pages.
As part of the monitoring team in other events, Preston and his colleagues came up with ideas to made Toronto.
For example, Toronto Pan American road race like the Marathon and competitions while crossing through so-called "Jersey barriers" that certain partitions on all vehicles routes to keep athletes be surrounded completed.
Insp. Preston said, the current loop is it easier to secure, and less of a strain of traffic over other traffic areas, traditional linear winding through the streets of the city.
Athletes are also examined with metal detectors and X-ray your baggage when you check into the Olympic Village. You go through security every time they go in this part of town, which is closed to the public.
The airport security style
As for the audience is a team of more than 5,000 private security guards who have come to the sports facilities of payment to see.
"The best way to describe the experience, comparing the airport style security," said Derek Gagné of Contemporary Security Canada (CSC), which has the main contract of private security for the Games.
Unlike airports, however, in the travelers to keep an eye on suspicious activity is recommended that those responsible for these games do not open on the public for intelligence.
When asked Insp. Preston said. "There will be more police officers to be at any place and [the] all very accessible," If someone wants to communicate information, he said: "Of course we will focus on the follow-up."
As for public awareness, one of the policemen to emphasize key messages to Toronto is that the games are not a "security event", ie the development of viewers should have sports, not the law and order.
Some resist Toronto after the G20 summit in 2010, which attracted some violent protest groups such as the Black Bloc. It has also led to some citizens and detained demonstrators by mass arrests and rounded before being released without charge hours.
Superintendent. Jevons, stressed that the games to family fun, there is no security. "Like when you go to a hockey game, are not there to see the referee," he said.
"We are here, we should be there, but we do not want people to remember in safety. We want people to remember the athletes and cultural heritage."
The biggest concern transport
Security officials say their main concern is not necessarily terrorism or climate, but the notorious deadlock in the city.
Insp. Toronto Police Andy Norrie said what him awake at night. "I'm afraid [to] an athlete, it is late or delayed in order could be to achieve their sporting event," he said. "This is for us a commitment to it and to time have a great experience."
Toronto Police and the OPP planned to do with the team police motorcycle, identifying and removing individuals and athletes congested roads if necessary.
A traffic control center has also been created, so that the authorities can monitor scattered area traffic cameras around the Toronto.
Even the police maritime unit Toronto offers to traffic. Busy port of Toronto is hosting the Pan American and Parapan events of the sailing and triathlon swimming.
"It is very, very busy to be here," said Sgt. Gerry Klunder maritime police unit in Toronto. "Boats come from all parts of Ontario, basically, you know, enjoy the Port of Toronto. Maybe they will interfere with the course."
Klunder said his officers are assigned to each event in the water to the viewers want to keep coming too close.
Geography is another challenge for security teams, as places found throughout southern Ontario. All security forces will be able to communicate in real time over the emergency management system of the Mounted Police.
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