Security Increased For Pope's Visit

The police department will deploy thousands of police officers to protect Pope Benedict XVI during his visit next week, in what Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly deemed yesterday as one of the largest security initiatives he has ever managed in the city.

Mr. Kelly was joined by the special agent in charge of the Secret Service New York Field Office, Brian Parr, at a press conference at 1 Police Plaza to discuss the pope's three-day visit, which will begin on Friday and end after a Sunday mass at Yankee Stadium. Anyone who wants to view the pope during his two public appearances, which include a trip up Fifth Avenue and a visit to Ground Zero, are not permitted to wear backpacks and will be subject to search, Mr. Kelly said.

In addition to a large force of officers, the department will deploy scuba teams, bomb-sniffing dogs, and counterterrorism teams.