Police have announced times and roads that will be affected over the next several days by the viewing and funeral services for Corey Comperatore, who was killed Saturday while attending Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump’s campaign rally in Butler County.
Traffic restrictions begin Wednesday in Freeport, according to Chris Fabec, chief of the Southern Armstrong Regional Police Department.
Fabec said in a release there will be no parking in the 500 block of High Street or on Sixth Street, near the Redmond Funeral Home, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
On Thursday, anyone attending the public services being held at Laube Hall, 115 Community Park Road, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. should try to enter Community Park Road from High Street/Freeport Road in Freeport.
Traffic on Freeport Road will have the left lane designated for travel to Laube Hall. The right lane will be through traffic to continue into South Buffalo.
There will be no access to Washington Street from Community Park Road. Motorists on Washington Street will have to exit via Fifth Street.
There will be “no parking” restrictions in Freeport on Thursday.
On Friday, there will be no parking on High Street beginning at Second Street and extending to Sixth Street from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Fabec said all no parking areas would be posted as soon as possible, and any areas that can be reopened to public parking sooner than the posted times will be.
Buffalo Township’s plans Friday
Buffalo Township police Chief Tim Derringer said that while Friday’s funeral procession route could change, the plan as of Tuesday evening was as follows:
There will be traffic restrictions and heavy delays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. along Route 356 from Coal Hollow Road to Freeport.
After a private service is celebrated at Cabot United Methodist Church, the procession will proceed onto Winfield Road, then to Bear Creek Road, then to Sarver Road, then to Route 356 and into Freeport via Second Street before ending on High Street.
Derringer said a number of law enforcement agencies will be assisting the Buffalo Township police due to the large number of people who are expected to come out.
“The majority of the procession is going to go through Buffalo Township so we are going to need assistance from a large quantity of outside agencies, which we have,” Derringer said.
Among them will be the state police, South Buffalo police, the state game commission and Southern Armstrong Regional police, whose coverage territory includes Freeport.
Numerous fire departments also are expected to turnout.
The Buffalo Township Volunteer Fire Company released a statement asking any emergency apparatus interested in joining Friday’s funeral procession to report to the Freeport Area High School parking lot, 625 South Pike Road, no later than 8 a.m. The area will be used to stage incoming vehicles and personnel.
“It’s going to be an extensive, a large amount,” Derringer said.
“That’s the number one priority, we’re always worried about that and concerned about that. That’s why we’re taking the precautions that we are just to ensure that everybody is safe.”
Derringer noted there have been similar processions for fallen police officers.
“Those past tragedies required the extensive pretense and planning from outside agencies as well.”
Derringer asked for the public’s patience with the heavy traffic that’s expected and traffic restrictions.
“ “It’s due to a good cause,” he said.
