South Bend, Mishawaka, St. Joseph County police ready for eclipse, offer advice to drivers

Joseph Dits, South Bend Tribune
·2 min read
The moon eclipses the sun during the solar eclipse watch party at the downtown branch of the St. Joseph County Public Library in South Bend on Monday, Aug. 21, 2017.
The moon eclipses the sun during the solar eclipse watch party at the downtown branch of the St. Joseph County Public Library in South Bend on Monday, Aug. 21, 2017.

SOUTH BEND — Local police departments say they’ll be ready for whatever Monday’s solar eclipse brings, though they’re not anticipating major issues.

South Bend police expect gatherings in parking lots and other open areas that officers will be mindful of, Capt. Jason Biggs said. Mishawaka officials say their police are prepared, as usual, for a range of emergencies.

“We ask that if anyone is driving at the time of the eclipse to be aware of their surroundings as there may be an increase in foot traffic," Biggs said. “Also, do not try and watch the eclipse while driving. It is recommended to pull into a parking lot to safely witness the event.”

Lots of cars are expected to pass by the South Bend area as they head to central and southern Indiana and to Ohio, as travelers seek to experience the eclipse in totality. There, the skies will turn dark as if it’s night between 3:07 and 3:11 p.m., compared with 97% of totality in South Bend, which will dim the sunlight.

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That may fill the main highways, like the St. Joseph Valley Parkway and U.S. 31, depending on which routes they take.

“We expect it to be like a busy weekend,” said Troy Warner, spokesman for St. Joseph County Police.

Al Kirsits, director of the county’s Emergency Management Agency, said there have been months of meetings with police, schools and local and state agencies to prepare for any possible impacts from the eclipse. The EMA will stay tuned, he said, in case its resources are needed here or downstate.

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He noted that state police will increase highway patrols, and fuel stations have been alerted to have enough fuel on hand for the extra traffic.

Statewide, law enforcement is especially focused on the anticipated traffic in central and southern Indiana. Indiana Michigan Power says it will have extra crews ready to respond for any electric service and safety issues in its territory in the path of totality, near Marion and Muncie and south of Fort Wayne.

This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Police prepped for eclipse and the extra traffic, offer drivers advice