Call Me Anytime

by Alexa James

Thanks to a new automated call system that the city's taking for a pilot run, phones at businesses and homes across the city can now rapidly receive recorded alerts about natural – and man-made – disasters, missing children, road projects and ... movie shoots.

The last scenario had 27,376 Center City phones ringing in the course of four hours and 16 minutes recently, as a recording of Streets Department Commissioner Clarena Tolson let folks know they might face some disruptions courtesy of Nic Cage and the rest of the crew of National Treasure.

(Directed by Jon Turteltaub, who's responsible for Disney's The Kid, the film is slated for a November 2004 release. The Jerry Bruckheimer production has been filming stunts around the city, including Old Pine Church, Reading Terminal and Independence Hall.)

Tolson's message forewarned residents about temporary street closures and parking restrictions while cordially reminding everyone that movie-making will contribute to our local economy and tourist trade and showcase Philadelphia and our heritage.

On the economic side, the $130 million film has already spent a pretty penny here. According to Francis Dougherty, special assistant to the city's assistant managing director, Their hotel bill alone for the two weeks they're staying here will be close to $2 million, [of which] the city gets about 11 percent.

Dougherty says the Police Department has received about $80,000 for its help and the film crew spends $2,600 a day for each traffic-redirecting message sign put into use. And they certainly have taken advantage of our nightlife, he says, noting that cast and crew also pay city wage taxes.

Thanks to the call system, the film crew has apparently dodged complaints like those lobbed by locals toward the television series Hack, which has been criticized for surprise parking and traffic restrictions and late-night filming.

The city also used Swiftreach during Hurricane Isabel and before road resurfacing in the Northeast. Tolson says the city spent $13,000 on the pilot stage and has requested an additional $40,000 to expand the program. The average recording costs 7 cents per minute.

Tolson says the department plans to use the system this winter for snow scenarios and hopes to involve other city agencies. (Those who don't want to receive messages can remove their numbers from the list by calling 215-686-5089.)

We were just floored by its success, Dougherty says. We think its applications right now are limitless. It's just a question of our own creativity.

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