Philly police staff up and debut translation body cams for World Cup
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Philadelphia police are gearing up for what its chief says could be one of the biggest deployments in its history in the coming days.
Why it matters: City officials have been preparing for years to ensure public safety around the FIFA World Cup, and their massive emergency operations plans are finally being put into action.
State of play: The police department is significantly increasing staffing around the South Philly stadium on match days, Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel said at a Tuesday news conference with more than a dozen city departments and organizations.
- He declined to provide specific numbers, but said to expect officers on foot, bicycle and motorcycle. Typical neighborhood patrols will continue.
- Police are also rolling out a new language translation technology to help officers communicate with international visitors.
How it works: Built into police body-worn cameras, the tech can translate roughly 50 languages out loud in real time.
- Officers can also use the technology to translate their speech into another language for a visitor, allowing for a back-and-forth conversation.
- Plus: Philly officers will maintain the tech after the World Cup.
What they're saying: "Philadelphia is ready," Bethel said, adding that the city "knows how to host major events."
Zoom out: Other law enforcement partners, from the state police to federal agencies, will also be part of the public safety operation.
- But U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is not involved in providing security in Philly during the World Cup, Bethel tells Axios.
- Host cities have received mixed messaging from the Trump administration over whether and how ICE could operate during the tournament.
What's ahead: The city will activate its emergency operations center on June 10, the day before the World Cup begins.
- It'll serve as the headquarters for public safety, public health, transportation, infrastructure, communications and other services in the region — and run 40 days throughout the tourney.
Between the lines: Philly officials have been making these emergency management plans with regional, state and federal partners for more than three years.
- That includes running half a dozen full-scale drills.
They've also met with representatives from countries around the globe to understand and prepare for international soccer fandom.
- One big takeaway: Philly is preparing for fan marches from a set location to the stadium, and fireworks inside and out, Dominick Mireles, deputy managing director for community safety and emergency management, tells Axios.