Kyiv is preparing for Eurovision. Organizers specified security measures during the Song Contest. During Eurovision about 10,000 law enforcement officers will ensure public order in Kyiv. Security measures will be strengthened throughout the city, including subway. The city center, the International Exhibition Center and other key locations will be under the strictest control.
“We have carefully studied all the locations and systematically analyze all risks that may arise during the preparation and the contest itself. Overall, about 10,000 law enforcement officers will maintain public order at Eurovision. All police forces, National Guard and other structures are in high alert. The mechanism of interaction of all security forces has been worked out on the basis of Kyiv city situational center,” reported Bohdan Lyzohub, Chief of Staff for security coordination during the preparation for and holding of Eurovision-2017 in Ukraine, at a press briefing held at Ukraine Crisis Media Center.
Video surveillance system – 7,000 cameras, 115 – at the International Exhibition Center
Kyiv will be equipped with 7,000 cameras connected to Kyiv city situational center. “We have set up 13 key locations. They are the IEC, where the contest will be held, Brovarsky Prospect, Mykhailivska Square, Sofiyivska Square, the streets Prorizna, Khreshchatyk, Andriyivskyi Descent, Sahaydachnoho, Poshtova and Kontraktova Squares, Truhaniv Island. We plan to install 250 inspection and 50 robotic cameras in the main locations to help operators monitor the situation,” said Yurii Nazarov, Director of the informational and communication technologies department of Kyiv City State Administration. The situation will be monitored round-the-clock.
The ICC will be equipped with 115 cameras inside and outside. A special monitoring center will analyze their information. Now they are testing the video-analytical system to help identify suspicious people and objects. Law enforcers took into account terrorist attacks that occurred in Europe during the past year and developed an action plan for similar situations, said Bohdan Lyzohub. “We have work out everything – from isolated cases of hooliganism to a possible terrorist threat,” added Anatolii Seredynskiy, representative of the National Police of Ukraine.
Information for guests: recommendations, police stations, hotline and mobile app
Specific recommendations have been developed for guests; they available in English and Ukrainian on the official website of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and National Police.
“They include all possible situations that may occur with our guests since their arrival at the airport, while using public or personal transport, as well as in case of troubles for those who travel with children. We also clarified the rights and duties of the police so that that people should accept understandingly the security measures,” noted Anatolii Seredynskiy.
There will be police stations with employees who speak English in key locations. If a problem arises, people can call on 1551, speaking English.
Yurii Nazarov added that the special mobile application in English will be launched. It will help people orientate themselves in the city and schedule of events as well as will provide information on how to act and where to go in case of problems. The application presentation will be held in a week. In addition, there will be 35 interactive information panel in several foreign languages.
At the time of the competition in key locations partially restrict movement. From 26 April to 18 May will be blocked Khreshchatyk in the area of the Eurocity. From 1 to 14 May will be covered street near the Exhibition Center and near the subway station Subway. On the day of “red carpet” blocked streets in the vicinity of the Mariinsky park.
Traffic restriction
During Eurovision traffic will be partially restricted in key locations. From April 26 to May 18, Khreshchatyk in the area of the Eurocity will be blocked. From May 1 to May 14, the streets near the Exhibition Center and Livoberezhna Metro Station will be blocked. On the day of “red carpet” the streets in the vicinity of the Mariinsky park will be blocked.
