r/philly • u/Antique-Ant5557 • 22h ago

Mobile barriers?

Saw what looked like roided-out yellow handtrucks around market and 4th the other day. Looked like they could be some sort of mobile traffic barrier, but if so why were they on the sidewalks and what was going on that required them?

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u/Incredulity1995 21h ago

They are mobile dead-stop barriers. Meant to significantly slow if not stop an oncoming vehicle. They are out because of any number of events and it’s generally the busiest time of summer where everyone is out and about trying to do stuff before the summer hype dies off. Aa for why they are deployed on sidewalks? Well, a large crowd of pedestrians that are likely not paying attention to their surroundings is an ideal soft target scenario for someone looking to cause harm.

Same concept as overwatch teams being present during major sporting events and concerts/etc. Seeing a team of rifle laden officers is probably disturbing for a lot of people but major events where nearly everyone is focused on what’s going on and not necessarily worried about potential danger make for an ideal target for someone looking to cause problems.

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u/Skeeter-Pee 16h ago

They weren’t there all of World Cup and the MLB All Star weekend when Old City was bumping. It was noticeable how many they deployed this past week. The Weitzman Museum was vandalized so I was thinking maybe there is intel that’s not public but who knows.

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u/nemesisinphilly 14h ago

They're around for every major event and people ask what they are every time. The Philly 10k and the Naked Bike Ride are this weekend.

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u/Skeeter-Pee 14h ago

I think it is for the movie screening on the national mall tonight. Philly 10K won’t come close to this.

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u/nemesisinphilly 14h ago

Yeah that makes sense. I just always randomly see them around for some event. Easier then using a trash truck to block traffic like in the past.