Published: March 19, 2008 11:18 pm         

Security tight for Obama visit

Local responders working to ensure safety for event

As the man who could be the next president of the United States visits Beckley today, local emergency responders will be charged with his safety and that of those who come to see him.

Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama will conduct a town hall meeting today at the Beckley-Raleigh County Convention Center. The Illinois senator’s visit has required extensive planning among emergency service workers who say security and safety measures must be extremely tight.

“Right now, our concern is the life safety of all the people coming there,” Beckley Fire Capt. Kevin Price said.

Apparently, the Obama campaign first wanted a smaller location, like the convention center’s conference rooms, Price said. Campaign officials believed they would be more conducive for a town hall meeting. However, the event will now take place on the convention center’s main floor, which can seat 4,200. The expected crowd will be much larger than the conference rooms can handle.

“They’re expecting well over 2,000 people,” Price said. “The whole time we were (at the convention center) discussing our roles, there was a solid line. People were constantly coming in for tickets. It’s going to be a big event.

“The response has been quite tremendous.”

The fire department will be primarily concerned the convention center is not filled beyond capacity, Price said. Any time a large number of people is gathered — even outdoors — there must be enough room for everyone to exit safely should an emergency occur. Firefighters will have the Regional Response Team stationed at the convention center, as well, in case of a hazardous material situation.

For security reasons, the Obama campaign is asking attendees not to bring bags and limit personal items. No signs or banners will be permitted.

“Don’t bring your purse and leave dad’s pocket knife at home,” Price said. “Keep these at home or leave them in your car.”

Because the Democratic and Republican presidential and vice presidential candidates, including President Bush, visited Beckley in 2004, Price believes more presidential campaign visits are likely. Local emergency service workers will be ready, he said.

“We will treat all of the others the same,” he said. “We want to make sure everyone who comes has a good time and stays safe.

“It doesn’t matter if it’s Obama, Hillary Clinton, John McCain or Mickey Mouse. Give people the opportunity to see them.”

Beckley Police Chief Tim Deems said 11 city officers will be inside and outside the convention center, handling security and traffic. The Raleigh County Sheriff’s Department will have about the same number of officers, and the State Police will bring manpower as well. Police officers inside the building will be stationed throughout.

Deems said the Secret Service will contact agencies where a presidential candidate or a sitting president will visit ahead of time and inform the agencies’ leaders what is needed and where.

The main concern police have is the overall safety of everyone in the crowd and keeping the extremely large crowd under control, Deems said. Any protesters will be moved to a designated area, which is the field near the convention center’s front.

“With something this big, that is something you have to plan for,” Deems said. “That is certainly their right, and we have designated an area in which they can safely do that.”

A spokeswoman for Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va., confirmed the senator and his wife, Sharon, will accompany Obama on his visit to West Virginia, which includes a stop in Charleston earlier today.

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