Friday, January 23, 2009

Law enforcement ready for the World Winter Games

Sun Valley police chief heads Special Olympics security team


By TERRY SMITH
Express Staff Writer

Sun Valley Police Chief Cameron Daggett is head of security for the Special Olympics World Winter Games, coming to the Wood River Valley next month. Daggett, who has been working on security plans for the event for the past year, will coordinate a multi-agency organization to keep the games secure from terrorism or other illegal acts. Photo by Willy Cook

Keeping the games safe and secure will be the primary responsibility of Sun Valley Police Chief Cameron Daggett when the Special Olympics World Winter Games comes to the Wood River Valley next month.

As "security branch director" for Special Olympics activities in the valley, Daggett has been developing security plans for more than a year.

"It's been a part-time job for a year and a few months, and I'm looking forward to getting it done," Daggett said. "Bring it on, we're ready for it."

Daggett will not be alone in protecting the games from terrorist threat or other illegal activities. A multi-agency team, involving federal, state and local authorities, has been organized to protect the athletes, other participants and the public.

Homeland Security is been involved in the endeavor. The U.S. Army is providing hazmat specialists. The U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is sending a handler and bomb-sniffing dog and the FBI will have agents on the streets.

Sun Valley police, Ketchum police, Blaine County Sheriff's deputies, Hailey police, Idaho State Police and Idaho Department of Fish and Game officers are part of the security team.

Daggett is charged with overseeing the entire security operation, with coordinating police protection with event directors and medical personnel, and with staying in close communication with World Winter Games Area Command in Boise and 10 other security directors at other game locations.

The central hub of Daggett's operation will be a command post during the week of the games set up in the Sun Valley City Council chambers.

Some 3,000 athletes from 85 countries are expected to participate in the World Winter World Games, which start with opening ceremonies in Nampa on Feb. 7 and conclude with closing ceremonies there on Feb. 13. Competitions will be held in Boise, McCall, Bogus Basin and Sun Valley, which will host snowboarding and cross-country skiing events.

Various other activities will be held in the Wood River Valley, including a dance at Wood River High School, an athletes gathering at the YMCA in Ketchum and a concert at the Sun Valley Pavilion.

It's Daggett's responsibility to make sure there is security at all Wood River Valley events. Ketchum police will handle security for events in Ketchum and Hailey police will handle security for events in Hailey, but all police agencies involved will work closely together and stay in close communication, Daggett said.

Daggett won't be stuck at the command center for the entire week. A schedule has been put together for the center that involves sheriff's deputies and Ketchum police.

Real-time computer links with video capability will link the command center to other event locations.

"For example, if somebody's causing problems at one of the locations, they can flash us a picture of him in case he shows up at ours," Daggett said.

"Our two biggest fears are lost athletes or terrorist incidents," Daggett said.

Concerns about lost athletes include possibilities of "running away, kidnap or defecting."

In addition to developing security plans, many officers in the valley have received special training courtesy of Homeland Security. Daggett said most of his officers have been trained in bomb and hazmat detection.

Homeland Security conducted a security risk assessment but results of the study are classified, Daggett said.

The event is also expected to draw VIPs from many of the participating countries. Daggett said none of them require constant police protection, but their presence increases the possibility of security situations.

"They're going to be in the area," Daggett said. "There could be issues because of that and they'll have to be dealt with."




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