General

  1. How will the ISU properly secure the Games in both the densely populated city of Vancouver and the vast mountain area of Whistler?

    The goal of the security planners is to provide an increased level of safety and security on, over and around the designated Olympic and Paralympic sites. This involves implementing security measures on land, air and sea. The V2010 ISU has brought together security and public safety agencies from all levels of government to work with us as we plan towards 2010. By integrating all of this expertise, we are determining exactly what is needed to keep people safe during the Games.

  2. How are security needs being determined?

    The RCMP and its partners take a measured security approach to global events. A strong security presence will not be visible – unless circumstances warrant. The security plan for the 2010 Games is being developed based on operational need. The level of security will be determined by our threat assessments – based on information from a wide range of sources and agencies.

  3. What will be the impact of the security plans on the average person living in the Vancouver or Whistler area?

    The average resident who is not attending a 2010 Games event will likely not experience any security restrictions. Residents may experience an increased volume of traffic and corresponding traffic disruptions that could affect their daily schedule during Games-time. Information to assist residents in moving throughout the Games region is forthcoming.

Security Resources

  1. How many members will be deployed for the Olympics?

    Approximately six thousand security personnel - comprised of RCMP and Municipal police officers from across Canada.

  2. Will other security personnel other than RCMP be deployed?

    The ISU is working with its security partners in planning security for the Games, and although these plans have not been finalized, this will likely include the deployment of non-RCMP security.

  3. Will municipal city police officers be deployed to the Olympics?

    Yes, as these are Canada's Games, numerous police forces from across Canada have offered to deploy personnel to support the security effort

  4. When will members begin to be deployed?

    We do not disclose this information due to security reasons.

  5. What impact will the deployment of members have on the communities they are leaving?

    The deployment of members to the Games will not compromise the safety and security of the communities policed by the RCMP. All security personnel deployments for the Olympics will balance the need to ensure local police priorities and services are maintained.

  6. How will communities be kept informed of the impact on them?

    The RCMP will maintain open dialogue with communities to ensure that any secondments will not negatively impact security in their communities.

    Consultation is key in all decisions related to the resourcing of major events. Decisions about policing priorities within a province are made locally between the provinces and the RCMP Commanding Officer. Similar processes exist at the municipal level.

  7. What is the RCMP doing to ensure that there are enough resources left behind in the communities they police?

    The RCMP has implemented several strategies to ensure that the detachments will be operating at sufficient levels during the Games. These include annual leave restrictions and the suspension of training courses during the Olympic time frame.

  8. How is deployment going to affect regular policing duties such as court appearances, etc?

    To meet the resource challenges associated to policing the Olympics, the RCMP must find solutions that will minimize the effect the re-deployment will have on the contract policing service delivery. One such solution is working with our justice system partners to ensure flexibility in the scheduling of criminal and civil trials that require police appearances during February 2010.

  9. A number of specialized teams and units will presumably be deployed to the Olympics. Won’t this leave our country vulnerable in other areas?

    At no time is the safety and security of any province or city compromised by the deployments of members elsewhere. Personnel will be carefully chosen to ensure the ongoing needs of a community, region or province can be met by those who remain behind.

Transportation

The V2010 ISU will provide a secure Olympic transportation system for athletes, team officials and designated Olympic family members based on current threat assessments.

Secure transportation may include official transportation to and from airport(s), to/from the Athlete/Olympic villages, practice and competition venues, Medal Recognition Ceremonies as well as opening and closing ceremonies.

All Olympic transportation drivers will undergo security background checks through the V2010 ISU and will be readily identifiable to security personnel. In addition, all accredited drivers will receive security orientation and training relating to the transport of secure passengers.

General

  1. What agency is handling the transportation issues during the Games?

    Transportation is a vital part of security planning for the Integrated Security Unit. We will ensure that all areas of the transportation planning process are coordinated- with VANOC and with security and public safety agencies. Transportation planning for the ISU relates to the provision of security for the athletes and officials.

  2. How will the host cities benefit from the 2010 Games transportation planning ?

    A coordinated multi-agency response to traffic management issues will undoubtedly result in improved service and the identification of other best practices. The benefits will reach far beyond the 2010 Games.

Marine

  1. Which venues are considered “water-side”?

    Water side venues include the Main Media Centre, the International Broadcast Centre, the Richmond Oval and the Vancouver Athlete’s Village.

  2. Has there been stakeholder engagement?

    Planners will ensure that marine security plans reflect the concern, advice and input from those both directly and indirectly impacted. Consultation has been underway, and working groups/committees have been formed to reflect the needs the marine community. The V2010 ISU remains committed to on-going consultation and communications around the impacts of proposed marine security plans and operations.

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Aviation

  1. Will float planes and helicopters have access to the waterfront?

    Yes. The main change will be that those aircraft travelling from unscreened airports will be required to obtain screening prior to proceeding into Olympic designated airspace. This includes float planes, helicopters, air taxis, private and business aircraft. Information on airspace modifications is being provided to pilots and airlines. The aviation industry is aware of the aviation security plans and is developing game-time plans that ensure business continuity during this time period.

    Temporary screening facilities will be set up for flights into and out of the Harbour.

  2. What about restrictions for other aircraft flying in the Lower Mainland and Sea-to-Sky area during the Games?

    Olympic Control Areas and restricted areas have been designated and any aircrafts entering these areas are required to complete a registration and authorization processes. In addition from January 29, 2010 to March 3, 2010 all aircrafts, passengers and crew flying into the area must go through security screening.

    While this should not affect anyone traveling from major or mid-size airports, it may impact those departing from small airports that do not have security screening equipment. Temporary screening facilities will be set up at nearly 20 additional airports in the province to reduce the impact of this restriction.

Related Links

Road-based

  1. My business/home is located on a street that is identified as a security closure - how will I be able to access it? What kind of restrictions can we expect?

    Where the closures are near residential areas or businesses, provisions have been made to ensure residents will be able to get to their homes and to minimize any impact on businesses. Our planners and community relations officers have consulted with all businesses affected by security-related closures and they have worked together to mitigate any impact as much as possible while preserving security perimeters.

  2. Why have you decided to close some roads for security and not others?

    The location of the road in proximity to Olympic/Paralympic venues has to be considered in the overall security planning. Our planners have considered a wide range of possible threats, assessed the risks and applied that assessment to our security planning process.

    The decision to close any roads is not taken lightly nor is it made in isolation. We have had discussions with community groups to try to reduce as much impact as possible. In some of the areas, there will be access for local traffic to ensure residents will be able to get to their homes and businesses will not be affected by any security-related closures.

  3. How will road closures be managed during the Games? Will those streets be closed to all traffic?

    The level of closure varies depending on the location. These may be complete closures, local traffic only restrictions or limited to pedestrian and cycle access.

  4. How long will these security closures be in place?

    The length of closure varies depending on the location and if the venue is used in both Olympic and Paralympic events.

  5. Will the Georgia and Dunsmuir Street Viaducts be closed?

    Yes. While the viaducts are a significant transportation infrastructure, during the 2010 Olympics they will fall within the security perimeter of two Olympic venues – Canada Hockey Place and BC Place Stadium. It would show a lack of due diligence if they were allowed to remain open.

  6. Will delivery trucks need to go through security checks? If so, where will these be located?

    Only those delivering within the venue’s security perimeter will be screened. VANOC is coordinating delivery schedules and authorizations.

  7. What about the movement of dangerous goods?

    The transportation of dangerous goods by road and rail within the downtown core and in designated zones around venues will be allowed only between the approximate hours Midnight and 6 am. These time-of-day controls balance issues of safety and security with the need for business continuity during the Games.

    High hazard dangerous goods will not be allowed in the downtown zone during the Games and will follow the time-of-day restrictions in all other designated areas. In addition, the export and/or import of high hazard explosive and radioactive material will not be allowed during the Games period unless a “business critical” exemption is granted by Transport Canada.

     

  8. Will there be security checkpoints during the Games?

    There will not be any random security checks in any of the host municipalities by the Vancouver 2010 Integrated Security Unit. The only time anyone will be required to pass through V2010 ISU-managed security screening is when they are entering an Olympic or Paralympic venue.

    The only vehicles that will be subjected to V2010 ISU-managed security screening are those entering a venue security perimeter and it is important to note that only authorized vehicles (deliveries or those transporting athletes, officials, etc.) will be allowed to enter venue perimeters.

    It is business as usual for police of jurisdiction outside of the venues. Police will continue to adhere to requirements under the Criminal Code to conduct any searches of individuals or property.

  9. Will security forces be closing the Sea-to-Sky Highway to regular traffic during Games-time or permitting the highway?

    No. The checkpoint on the Sea-to-Sky Highway is a traffic-management initiative of the BC Ministry of Transportation. It is not part of the security plan.

  10. Will police assist in helping to prevent or clear traffic gridlock on the Sea-to-Sky?

    The ISU will assign uniformed police to assist with traffic management in the Sea-to-Sky region. There will be a very enhanced and visible police presence to assist regional detachments in traffic management and enforcement on the entire corridor from Horseshoe Bay to Pemberton.

    In the event of a collision, additional Collision Investigation teams will be located in Pemberton, Whistler and Squamish and on duty 24/7.

  11. Who will be doing enforcement for the Olympic lanes?

    The police service of jurisdiction will be responsible for ensuring effective traffic flows are maintained in the Olympic lanes. The V2010 ISU will provide support if required in areas immediately around any secured venues.

Accreditation

The Olympics have been designated as a major event by the Government of Canada. As a result, the RCMP is mandated to complete security background checks to enhance the security of the Olympic Games.

People with accreditation may have enhanced access to secure facilities, venues and athletes. The purpose of the security background check is to support the objective of a secure and safe Olympic Games.

The V2010 ISU predicts more than 100,000 individuals will require accreditation.

Anyone with enhanced access to secure zones within venues and facilities needs to be accredited. This includes athletes, media, coaches etc. For those people who are not residents of Canada, the 2010 Integrated Security Unit will work with its partners to ensure necessary checks are done.

The V2010 ISU makes individual assessments about whether an individual could pose a risk to the Games. The Unit will provide a simple yes or no to VANOC. VANOC issues the accreditation credential.

For the 2010 Winter Games, police conducting background checks for accreditation will only have to enter data once to check a variety of security databases, and they will be able to automatically re-check people right up to the end of the Games. This improves overall safety for the Games participants, volunteers, visitors to our country and the public.

The Integrated Security Unit will ensure personal privacy is protected at all times. Police personnel processing accreditation requests are the only ones who will view personal information.

Personal data will be in highly controlled in an electronic environment. For example, even viewing the data would leave an electronic track. Privacy legislation requires that all personal data collected for security checks during the Games must be destroyed two years after the event concludes.

  1. I understand that all volunteers at the Games will require security background checks, can you explain this ?

    The Olympics have been designated as a major event by the Government of Canada. As a result, the RCMP is mandated to complete security background checks to enhance the security of the Olympic Games. People with accreditation may have enhanced access to secure facilities, venues and athletes. The purpose of the security background check is to support the objective of a secure and safe Olympic Games.

  2. How many people will need to be accredited for the Games ?

    The V2010 ISU predicts more than 100,000 individuals will require accreditation. Anyone with enhanced access to secure zones within venues and facilities needs to be accredited. This includes athletes, media, coaches, volunteers and others.

  3. How does the ISU inform VANOC about the results of a security background check on an individual ?

    The V2010 ISU makes individual assessments about whether an individual could pose a risk to the Games. The Unit will provide a simple yes or no to VANOC. VANOC issues the accreditation credential.

  4. What if accreditation is granted and the applicant commits an offence before the Games ?

    For the 2010 Winter Games, police conducting background checks for accreditation will only have to enter data once to check a variety of security databases, and they will be able to automatically re-check people right up to the end of the Games. This improves overall safety for the Games participants, volunteers, visitors to our country and the public.

  5. Will the ISU retain the personal information of those seeking accreditation ?

    The Integrated Security Unit will ensure personal privacy is protected at all times. Police personnel processing accreditation requests are the only ones who will view personal information. Personal data will be in highly controlled in an electronic environment. For example, even viewing the data would leave an electronic track. Privacy legislation requires that all personal data collected for security checks during the Games must be destroyed two years after the event concludes.

Training and Exercises

The 2010 Integrated Exercise Program is designed to ensure we are prepared to respond to any potential emergency that may occur during the Games.

The 2010 Integrated Exercise Program is based on a series of three exercises – Bronze, Silver and Gold combined with exercises planned by all three levels of government. These shared exercises will help develop and validate capabilities arising from the cooperative efforts of various agencies and government departments from all levels.

The series of exercises, called Bronze, Silver and Gold, will take place over the next year and a half in order to examine, practice and test protocols and policies among regional partners.

One of the valuable legacies of the V2010 ISU and its work with all three levels of government will be to reduce any potential conflicts between standard operating plans and procedures for agencies and governments involved in disaster response.

The delivery of a safe and secure 2010 Winter Olympics will depend on the effective contribution of many organizations and agencies, and more importantly, on their ability to work together. Exercising provides the opportunity for this capability to be achieved.

  1. How will the Integrated Security Unit know it is prepared for Games time ?

    The 2010 Integrated Exercise Program is designed to ensure we are prepared to respond to any potential emergency that may occur during the Games.

  2. What is involved in the Exercise Program?

    The 2010 Integrated Exercise Program is based on a series of three exercises – Bronze, Silver and Gold combined with exercises planned by all three levels of government. These shared exercises will help develop and validate capabilities arising from the cooperative efforts of various agencies and government departments from all levels.

  3. When will the exercises occur?

    There are series of exercises with the largest being Bronze, Silver and Gold, that have taken place and are scheduled to occur in 2009 in order to examine, practice and test protocols and policies among regional partners.

  4. With so many agencies involved, how will they all work together during the Games ?

    One of the valuable legacies of the V2010 ISU and its work with all three levels of government will be to reduce any potential conflicts between standard operating plans and procedures for agencies and governments involved in disaster response. The delivery of a safe and secure 2010 Winter Olympics will depend on the effective contribution of many organizations and agencies, and more importantly, on their ability to work together. Exercising provides the opportunity for this capability to be achieved.

Security at Venues

The Olympics have been designated as a major event by the Government of Canada. As a result, the RCMP is mandated to complete security background checks to enhance the security of the Olympic Games.

People with accreditation may have enhanced access to secure facilities, venues and athletes. The purpose of the security background check is to support the objective of a secure and safe Olympic Games. The V2010 ISU predicts more than 100,000 individuals will require accreditation.

Anyone with enhanced access to secure zones within venues and facilities needs to be accredited. This includes athletes, media, coaches etc. For those people who are not residents of Canada, the V2010 ISU will work with its partners to ensure necessary checks are done.

The Integrated Security Unit makes individual assessments about whether an individual could pose a risk to the Games. The Unit will provide a simple yes or no to VANOC. VANOC issues the accreditation credential.

For the 2010 Winter Games, police conducting background checks for accreditation will only have to enter data once to check a variety of security databases, and they will be able to automatically re-check people right up to the end of the Games. This improves overall safety for the Games participants, volunteers, visitors to our country and the public.

The Integrated Security Unit will ensure personal privacy is protected at all times. Police personnel processing accreditation requests are the only ones who will view personal information.

Personal data will be in highly controlled in an electronic environment. For example, even viewing the data would leave an electronic track. Privacy legislation requires that all personal data collected for security checks during the Games must be destroyed two years after the event concludes.

General

  1. Will there be vehicle and pedestrian security checkpoints at venues? How will these impact residents?

    The security overlays for venues have not been finalized, however both pedestrians and authorized vehicles will be screened at security checkpoints before entering specific Olympic and Paralympic venues. There will not be vehicle parking for members of the public at any of the venues. The V2010 ISU is working closely with VANOC venue planners to develop detailed venue security plans. Security measures that could impact residents will be communicated well in advance.

  2. Will private security companies be utilized for security operations during the Games?

    The Integrated Security Unit will be contracting private companies to operate security screening services at entrances to Olympic and Paralympic venues within the Metro Vancouver and the Sea to Sky Region.

  3. Will security be compromised ?

    While the Integrated Security Unit intends to contract out certain security services at some venues, the unit retains overall responsibility for security at Olympic and Paralympic venues. The Integrated Security Unit will maintain oversight of security screeners, and the security standards they apply. All contract security staff will have enhanced security clearances and will be required to have specialized training to operate necessary equipment.

  4. Why can’t police officers fulfill these security duties?

    Using the private sector to perform this work will allow the Integrated Security Unit to maximize police resources and will ensure we can continue to meet our responsibilities in the communities we serve. It makes good financial sense to contract out this portion of the security work, allowing police to focus on maintaining public order and investigating criminal activities. The Vancouver 2010 Integrated Security Unit is committed to working with private security providers to keep the public, athletes and visitors safe.

Closed Circuit Televisions (CCTV)

  1. What will happen to the closed circuit Televisions (CCTV) security cameras after the 2010 Winter Games?

    The primary role of CCTV is to enhance public safety, allow the collection of “best evidence,” reduce the impact of crime on victims, and act as a general deterrent to crime. CCTV is used in support of community goals of enhanced public and officer safety, crime detection and prevention. Approximately 900 CCTV security cameras will be installed at venues for the Winter Games with another 50-70 CCTV security cameras installed in the urban domain. The urban domain consists of areas where the public will gather outside a venue. The V2010 ISU will not own the assets or infrastructure of the venue CCTVs after the games. A decision on post game use or disposition of cameras within the urban domain (non-venue use) is a public policy decision that falls within the jurisdiction of the City of Vancouver.

  2. Who will be monitoring the CCTV cameras being installed for the Games?

    The Closed-Circuit television cameras being installed as part of the V2010 Integrated Security Unit efforts will be directed into the venues or around the immediate perimeter based on crowd levels expected. CCTV cameras are part of the overall security framework that provides perimeter security for many of the Olympic and Paralympic competition and non-competition venues. They will be used in support of community goals of enhanced public and police officer safety, crime detection and prevention.

    The RCMP will have appropriate guidelines in place for the collection, use, disclosure, retention and disposal of video images recorded during the 2010 Winter Games.

    All cameras installed by V2010 ISU will be removed at the end of the Games as they are part of a service contract.

Cypress Trail Closures

  1. Military camps are planned for the Cypress area so will soldiers be patrolling the backcountry closures closer to games-time?

    The Canadian Forces is a key member of the ISU security workforce, and they will be supporting security operations in the Cypress Mountain area. The CF expertise in winter military operations will provide mobility support to the civilian police patrol and also provide the specialized equipment required to secure the Cypress backcountry.

  2. What will occur if a member of the public enters onto a closed trail in the security zone after February 1st?

    The circumstances of the security breach will dictate the response by the security workforce members. Members of the ISU workforce will be patrolling the closures, and will respond to any breaches of the security perimeter.

  3. Will Canadian Forces personnel arrest people who enter restricted areas?

    Civilian police forces may arrest a person as they determine and assess the situation. The Canadian Forces is supporting civilian police forces as a partner to ensure the security for the 2010 Winter Games.

Urban Domain

Safe Assembly Areas (SAA)

  1. What are Safe Assembly Areas?

    The Inner City Inclusively (ICI) Commitments Statement, developed by a community advisory group working with the Vancouver 2010 Bid Corporation, was presented to the International Olympic Committee with Vancouver’s bid for the 2010 Winter Games. The commitments were endorsed by the Government of Canada, the Province of BC, the City of Vancouver, the 2010 Bid Corporation (and later, VANOC), and are supported by the Vancouver 2010 Integrated Security Unit (V2010 ISU). One of the ICI commitments is to provide for lawful, democratic protest that is protected by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The V2010 ISU is further guided by the recommendations in the Hughes Report, a report prepared after a public inquiry into the 1997 APEC Conference held in Vancouver, BC. In the report, Hughes recommends a “generous opportunity will be afforded for peaceful protests to see and be seen in their protest activities by guests to the event.” Safe Assembly Areas allow for this opportunity.

  2. Are Safe Assembly Areas being established by the Vancouver 2010 Integrated Security Unit to limit protestors on where they can protest?

    No. A lawful protest can occur anywhere and is not a police concern. Where possible, ISU security planners will identify visible areas where people may choose to lawfully express their views in safe locations close to Olympic venues. Persons do not have to use these designated areas.

  3. Are these areas created in order to limit and control protest groups?

    No. Persons can express their views in a lawful manner anywhere. The V2010 Integrated Security Unit and our planning partners recognize that lawful advocacy, protest and dissent are not matters for police concern. However, violent or criminal acts that interfere with the rights and freedoms of law-abiding Canadians and visitors may result in police investigations and criminal prosecutions. There is no intention to restrict lawful advocacy, protest and dissent to designated Safe Assembly Areas. Protesters outside Olympic venues must obey the law which includes traffic restrictions, private property restrictions, and public safety, but otherwise may express their views wherever they wish.

  4. Will signs be grabbed by police as seen in other protests?

    Signs are legal today and will be legal during the 2010 Winter Games. Signs will become a concern for the police force of jurisdiction when the sign or support mechanism is used as a weapon or obstructs the vision of others.

  5. How close will the Safe Assembly Areas be to Olympic venues?

    Locations for Safe Assembly Areas have yet to be determined. The V2010 Integrated Security Unit welcomes feedback from interested parties to determine if the sites would be useful and if so, what locations would be suitable to allow for proximity, visibility and safety.

  6. What does a protestor need to do to come to the attention of the police?

    A protestor who breaks the law or endangers public safety will come to the attention of the police. Lawful protest is legal and this will not change during the 2010 Winter Olympics. If it is legal now, it will be legal during the Games.

  7. Should all persons opposed to the Winter Games expect a police officer to visit their home or place of work?

    The V2010 Integrated Security Unit is exercising due diligence in preparing the security plans for the Games by continually reassessing and fine tuning the plans as required. That same due diligence is being applied in the gathering of intelligence on potential threats to the security of the Games. Through the gathering of intelligence, the V2010 ISU seeks to either confirm or disregard individuals as potential threats to the safety and security of Canadians and visitors to Canada. All lawful tools will be utilized to ensure a safe and secure Winter Games and all strategies will be in accordance with Canadian Laws. It is important to keep in mind that police have the right to ask questions and gather information. The rights of citizens afforded by the Charter of Rights and Freedoms will be respected; it is up to the individual to decide whether they want to speak to police or not. The V2010 ISU is reaching out not only to protest groups but to any individual who may have information which would impact the safety and security of the Winter Games.

  8. Is it true the V2010 ISU has a list of approximately 42,000 people opposed to the Winter Games?

    The V2010 ISU does NOT have a list of 42,000 people opposed to the Winter Games. This figure was misconstrued during the July 7, 2009, Vancouver City Council meeting where Assistant Commissioner, Bud Mercer, Chief Operating Officer for the V2010 ISU, was briefing council on the status of Winter Games security. Assistant Commissioner Mercer advised council the V2010 ISU was currently working on 42,000 accreditations and would complete 140,000 by the time the Winter Games begin. Anyone with enhanced access to secure zones within venues and facilities needs to be accredited. This includes athletes, media, coaches, etc. The V2010 ISU will ensure personal privacy is protected at all times and the information obtained by the accreditation process will only be viewed by the police personnel processing the requests.

Torch Relay Security

  1. Will there be traffic disruptions when the relay passes through my community?

    There may be temporary road restrictions as the relay passes through various communities. This is the decision of the local police and it is expected that they will announces the relay route and any restrictions several days prior to the arrival of the Torch Relay.

  2. Are demonstrations expected in my community?

    Many events such as this attract demonstrations, so it is likely that there will be some protests will at some locations along the route. We are not in a position to say if there will or will not be any protests in a specific community, but we are working closely with our law enforcement partners, and we are committed to working in a professional manner to ensure the Torch Relay participants, peaceful demonstrators, police officers and members of the community will experience this event in a peaceful and safe environment.

  3. Will there be safe assembly areas (or designated “protest areas”) along the route?

    Any decisions regarding the establishment of areas where people can peacefully demonstrate will be made by the police of jurisdiction. Our responsibility is strictly the integrity of the flame and the safety of the torchbearer.

  4. How were the members of the Torch Relay Security Team selected?

    The Torch Relay Security Team members were chosen based on their skills, knowledge and physical abilities needed to address the unique aspects of this cross-country route.