Security getting tighter in Center City ahead of papal visit

CENTER CITY -- Security continues to get tighter in Center City ahead of the pope's arrival in Philadelphia.

Deadlines are looming for road, highway and bridge closures in Philadelphia and parts of the surrounding area.

TIMELINE: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and New Jersey road, highway, bridge closures for papal visit

"It's necessary, so that's what we have to do," said Claire Martini of West Chester, Pa.

Homeland Security is using an underground garage as a staging area across the street from the cathedral.

It's just one of the many signs that security is the primary consideration here.

The fencing that's going up seemingly everywhere is the most visible reminder that it's anything but business as usual.

Eventually, eight-foot tall fencing will close in the event perimeter along the Parkway and beyond.

Concrete barriers for the secure vehicle perimeter were out as well.

Starting at 6 a.m. Friday, metal detectors will be in place and only residents and business owners will be allowed in.

Longtime residents like Tim McLaughlin appreciate the need for security, but he thinks it's overkill.

"I've never seen the city closed down the way it has been," he said. "I think it's good for security and stuff like that but I think enough is enough."

Security experts say it is necessary post in this post 9/11 world.

Mark Camillo has been a high ranking Secret Service and Homeland Security agent. He says crowd size dictates the extraordinary security measures.

"The crowd size is probably what's at the top of the list of concerns. It's about protecting the crowd from the crowd," Camillo said.

Carol Butter of Holmesburg will be in that crowd. She says she doesn't have any concerns about security.

"I don't, I don't. I know a lot of people are afraid of the security," she said, "but God's not going to let anything happen to us."