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Released: 2/17/2023
DRPA To Utilize Devices To Keep People and Events Safer
The Delaware River Port Authority (DRPA) recently purchased more than a dozen anti-vehicle ramming devices that will be utilized at annual charity events held at DRPA facilities.
The 16 barriers are designed to stop vehicles from entering crowded areas closed to traffic.
“DRPA is continuously looking at ways to keep our community safe,” said DRPA Chief Security/Safety Officer Robert Finnegan. “Chief Edward Cobbs and I both agreed that it was a good move to purchase these specialized devices to be used as an added level of protection for attendees of larger-scale events organized by the Authority.”
In the past, Finnegan said dump trucks, as well as tractor-trailers, were used by the Authority’s police department for security at events. Finnegan explained that utilizing the smaller devices are more logical than some of the oversized options used in the past.
The barriers will be deployed at annual charity events held at DRPA facilities, such as the Run the Bridge 10K and The Ben to The Shore Bike Tour.
Eight of the 700-pound barriers can be deployed in under 10 minutes by one person. Finnegan explained that if the device were to be hit a vehicle, it would flip over and jam into the asphalt, as well underneath the undercarriage of the car, thus immobilizing the vehicle.
The $190,000 purchase was made possible with financial assistance through the Department of Homeland Security’s Port Security Grant Program (PSGP).
Staff was recently trained on how to deploy the devices.
Eight of the 700lb. devices can be deployed inunder 10 minutes by one person.
The barriers are designed to stop vehicles from entering crowded areas closed to traffic.
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