Olympic Security on show in Vancouver

Government security forces are conducting a major 2010 Olympics training exercise in Vancouver over the next ten days (Feb 3-13, 2009), with the focus being 'Exercise Silver' (Feb 9-13). Up to 1,000 cops & soldiers will be involved. The foto is from a press conference where military and police resources were on display, including the Griffon military helicopter pictured here.

Olympic security on show in Metro Vancouver

By Damian Inwood, The Province, February 3, 2009

Metro Vancouver residents will get a taste of Vancouver 2010 security next week as 1,000 police and Canadian Forces personnel conduct “Exercise Silver” around Burrard Inlet, Howe Sound and at Olympic venues.

And RCMP Assistant Commissioner Bud Mercer, boss of the Vancouver 2010 Integrated Security Unit, said taxpayers should find out by the end of this week what the total tab for securing the Games will be.

The figure was originally pegged at $175 million in the 2002 bid book, but Stockwell Day, then- public safety minister, said last year it could be anywhere between $400 million and $1 billion.

Mercer said Monday that Exercise Silver will run from Feb. 9 to 13 and comprise 1,000 people from 100 different agencies.

It will feature real and simulated operations, some behind closed doors and others as “live- action events” that will be tightly controlled. “

The public should expect to see increased activity in the Burrard Inlet and along the coastline in Howe Sound and, at times, in the air over the Greater Vancouver area,” said Mercer.

He couldn’t say how much the exercise will cost. He said it will focus on criminal activities‚ weather, health, and seismic, marine and aviation-related themes.

Rear-Admiral Tyrone Pile, commander of the Joint Task Force Games, said 2010 security faces a challenging environment, combining a major urban centre, mountainous terrain, vast ocean spaces and one of the busiest air spaces in Canada.

“During the next 14 days, we will be visible,” he said. “You may see ships patrolling not only our Pacific Ocean approaches, but you may see more sailors in and around Vancouver harbour and Howe Sound. “They will conduct maritime surveillance, coastal patrols, port-security operations and diving operations.”

He said residents may also see and hear Canadian Forces aircraft practising aerospace defence, medical or casualty evacuations, search and rescue, and support for security forces.

Pile wouldn’t say how many vessels and aircraft will be involved “for operational security reasons.”