Police Seek Surveillance Camera Help For Broad Street Run Security
By Diana Rocco
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — Preparations are in progress for the 35th Annual Broad Street Run at the Navy Yard finish line and up and down the ten mile course.
"I am so nervous, I can't even tell you. It's overwhelming to think there's 40,000 other people that are going to be running, but it's exciting," runner LeAnn Poole said.
GUIDE: 2014 Broad Street Run
"I'm hoping to improve my time," runner Dennis Sandlin said.
While nearly 40,000 runners will be keeping an eye on their time, police have their eye on tight security. Extra officers will be deployed the length of Broad Street and by air and sea with the help of SEPTA and the FBI.
"You're going to see us deployed in every possible way. We're going to have boats, helicopters, bicycles, motorcycles, cars. We have a very detailed security plane," Chief Inspector Joe Sullivan of Philadelphia Police said.
No backpacks this year, only clear bags are allowed at the start and finish lines. Along Broad Street spectators can bring backpacks, but don't be surprised if an officer asks to search it.
Also, businesses along the route have been asked to turn their surveillance cameras to the street to give police added protection.
"There's going to be a lot of police officers out there that you won't be able to see and that's intentional," Sullivan said.
The first sweeps start around 530 a.m. Sunday morning, but runners picking up their bibs at the Convention Center on Friday say they're not thinking about what might go wrong -- only focused on that finish line.
"Just to run down Broad Street in your city. This is your city," runner Cynthia Mason said.
"I figure I'm going to have fun and not let the bad people stop me from having fun," runner Quinetta Lee said.
On race day police are asking the public to be their eyes and ears. Also if you see anything suspicious, call 911. They say they have enough officers deployed along this route to have one to you within moments.