Public Safety Plans Unveiled For Selma To Montgomery March Anniversary
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All eyes across the nation will be in Selma and Montgomery in less than two weeks for of the 50th anniversary of the voting rights march. And public safety officials are making plans to make sure the area is covered.
The nearly five mile route in Montgomery, set for the Selma to Montgomery March, and the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma are quiet for now.
But the crowds are coming beginning March 6.
Along with them? 40 agencies Across Alabama, even Georgia — all to make sure every event related to themarch will be safe.
“Over the past several months, we’ve worked with federal agencies from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the US Secret Service, US Capital police and the United States Capital Parks Service,” Said Lt. Christina Thorton with the Montgomery Police Department.
In addition to national public safety efforts, Montgomery Police officials say 500 of their officers will be out on the streets. Another several dozen from the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency and the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office; agencies from Greenville, Huntsville, even as far as Atlanta will be helping out.
Public safety authorities will come in all forms — whether it’s as a tact team, on a motorcycle, in uniform and undercover.
The Montgomery Fire Department is also preparing for it’s public safety efforts. Officials say you may also find EMS undercover.
“We’re going to staff about 50 to 100 additonal firefighters that will cover EMS, and fire suppression and also our special units such as our HAZMAT material and heavy rescue units,” Said Chief Milford Jordan with the Montgomery Fire Department.
While the anniversary preps are going on, public safety officials want to assure you they will not be ignoring the rest of the city’s safety.
“We have cancelled off days, re-allocated administrative personnel, cancelled vacation, paying overtime,” Said Major Christopher Wingard with the Montgomery Police Department.
But the extra security comes at a cost — $50,000 — all money coming from the city’s general fund budget.
Public safety will have three waves of extra security:
-March 6-8
-March 13, 14
-March 24, 25
