We’re less than two weeks away from the Total Solar Eclipse that will be going directly through our region.Burlington Police Department is doing their best to prepare, but depending on the amount of people that show up, they say they’re not sure they’ll be able to control the traffic flow.“Frankly we don’t know how large those crowds will be,” said Chief Jon Murad.Murad said that aspect is concerning.He said they can handle crowds between 25,000-50,000 people, as that’s the range for their annual events like the Vermont City Marathon or 3rd of July party.However he says anything more can start to become dangerous.”“If this event brings in crowds of a similar size, I think we’ll be okay. If it brings in unprecedented crowds that far exceed the crowds that we’re use to at the Vermont City Marathon or at the 3rd of July, we might not be able to address them in the same way that we’re use to,” said Murad.If the number of visitors reach those heights, Murad is worried about emergency vehicles being able to navigate throughout the city, jeopardizing general public safety.Murad said they’re all hands-on deck.They have 40 on-site officers scheduled, a standard number they set for major events like this.However he said the difference with the Eclipse is it will be nearly impossible for them to recruit extra help from either neighboring towns or Vermont State Police.In the North Country, they’re recruiting extra NYPD officers, so that won’t be an issue. “We’re New Yorkers, and we’re going to be prepared,” said Gov. Kathy Hochul.Lieutenant Frank Scalise from Milton Police Department’s shared that while they would love to be able to serve as reinforcement for Burlington, they can’t make that promise, giving they have to patrol their own area first and foremost on April 8.“I think the conversation we’ve been having is facilitating the efficient transportation of our services to community members and the people that are coming to the town,” said Scalise.Murad encourages people visiting to come days in advance because that will help lessen the traffic congestion on that Monday.He’s concerned that if the traffic does get out of control on that day, people will abandon their cars and walk to be in a position where they can see the Eclipse.“Should something like that happen, that’s going to aggravate the traffic situations that we see,” said Murad.He also suggests out-of-towners follow the Vermont Agency of Transportation’s advice to “Hunker Down and Stay in Town.”Murad said it will help folks towards having an overall smooth and fun eclipse experience.He also wants to remind people that Route 127, which connects the New North End to Colchester, will be closed and turned into parking.There will be shuttle buses for people to use to get to their viewing location.
We’re less than two weeks away from the Total Solar Eclipse that will be going directly through our region.
Burlington Police Department is doing their best to prepare, but depending on the amount of people that show up, they say they’re not sure they’ll be able to control the traffic flow.
Advertisement
“Frankly we don’t know how large those crowds will be,” said Chief Jon Murad.
Murad said that aspect is concerning.
He said they can handle crowds between 25,000-50,000 people, as that’s the range for their annual events like the Vermont City Marathon or 3rd of July party.
However he says anything more can start to become dangerous.”
“If this event brings in crowds of a similar size, I think we’ll be okay. If it brings in unprecedented crowds that far exceed the crowds that we’re use to at the Vermont City Marathon or at the 3rd of July, we might not be able to address them in the same way that we’re use to,” said Murad.
If the number of visitors reach those heights, Murad is worried about emergency vehicles being able to navigate throughout the city, jeopardizing general public safety.
Murad said they’re all hands-on deck.
They have 40 on-site officers scheduled, a standard number they set for major events like this.
However he said the difference with the Eclipse is it will be nearly impossible for them to recruit extra help from either neighboring towns or Vermont State Police.
In the North Country, they’re recruiting extra NYPD officers, so that won’t be an issue.
“We’re New Yorkers, and we’re going to be prepared,” said Gov. Kathy Hochul.
Lieutenant Frank Scalise from Milton Police Department’s shared that while they would love to be able to serve as reinforcement for Burlington, they can’t make that promise, giving they have to patrol their own area first and foremost on April 8.
“I think the conversation we’ve been having is facilitating the efficient transportation of our services to community members and the people that are coming to the town,” said Scalise.
Murad encourages people visiting to come days in advance because that will help lessen the traffic congestion on that Monday.
He’s concerned that if the traffic does get out of control on that day, people will abandon their cars and walk to be in a position where they can see the Eclipse.
“Should something like that happen, that’s going to aggravate the traffic situations that we see,” said Murad.
He also suggests out-of-towners follow the Vermont Agency of Transportation’s advice to “Hunker Down and Stay in Town.”
Murad said it will help folks towards having an overall smooth and fun eclipse experience.
He also wants to remind people that Route 127, which connects the New North End to Colchester, will be closed and turned into parking.
There will be shuttle buses for people to use to get to their viewing location.
