By Jennifer Garcia
jgarcia@riograndesun.com
Managing Editor

Monday marked the beginning of Holy Week for Catholics, which means that pilgrims will soon begin their trek to El Santuario de Chimayó.

While most walk on Good Friday, it’s not uncommon for some coming from destinations outside of Rio Arriba County to begin walking as soon as Monday or Tuesday of Holy Week and as in years past, law enforcement will conduct a public safety operation and patrols to ensure the safety of motorists and pilgrims.

The Rio Arriba County Sheriff’s Office will conduct, in collaboration with the Santa Fe City Police Department, Los Alamos Police Department and Ohkay Owingeh Police Department, a traffic enforcement and public safety operation that will begin at 6 a.m. April 3. Officers and deputies will patrol State Road 76 from mile marker 5 to the intersection with State Road 503, to include the county roads, Rio Arriba Sheriff Lorenzo Aguilar said.

They will focus on ensuring a safe pilgrimage for all participants, preventing accidents and congestion, managing heavy pedestrian and vehicle traffic and enforcing traffic laws.

Multiple specialized units, deputies and supervisors from RASO will be involved to include day and night shift patrol units, supervisors and command staff and additional officers from other agencies.

“Coverage will be continuous throughout the day and night, with some deputies also handling regular calls for service across the county,” Aguilar said via email.

Santa Fe and Los Alamos police departments will lend personnel to do bicycle patrols along the State Road 76 route to Chimayó, Aguilar said. Bike patrol units and bike teams are especially useful in areas that are difficult for patrol vehicles to get to, high foot traffic areas and congested roadways.

Deputies assigned to regular patrol shifts will also maintain visibility to deter unsafe driving behavior, enforce traffic laws, monitor roadways used by pilgrims throughout the week and respond to calls for service during the week, Aguilar wrote.

Rio Arriba County Emergency Management will stage an ambulance for emergencies at La Arboleda Community Center. Additional emergency response is available through dispatch, if needed, and those needing hospital care will be taken to the Española Presbyterian Hospital, Aguilar wrote.

He said there were no issues reported last year and no arrests were made. This year’s operation is being handled by the RASO command team, to include Capt. Manuel Romero and Lt. Chris Gurule.

“Lt. Gurule plays a key command role, but the operation is managed collaboratively among leadership,” Aguilar wrote.

Aguilar said those walking to El Santuario should walk facing traffic, stay as far off the road as possible, wear bright or reflective clothing — especially at night, carry lights or flashlights, travel in groups when possible, stay hydrated and take breaks and follow directions from law enforcement.