"Tighter security aims to foil troublemakers: Extra eyes on land, sea, air"

Thursday, July 5, 2007

Tighter security aims to foil troublemakers: Extra eyes on land, sea, air
By Marie Szaniszlo
The Boston (MA) Herald


A week after a triple car-bombing plot was foiled in England and Scotland,
authorities fanned out across the Fourth of July festivities on both sides
of the Charles River yesterday. 
 
Heightening Independence Day precautions they have taken since the Sept. 11,
2001, terrorist attacks, state police set up added barriers and security
checkpoints along the Esplanade. 
 
"We've increased our presence in light of recent world events," said Troop H
commander Maj. Michael Concannon. 
 
"We're also being a little more diligent, checking packages," Sgt. Mike
Rafferty added. 

About 450 state troopers, as well as Air and Army National Guardsmen and an
undisclosed number of Boston police, were deployed to monitor the estimated
500,000 people who attended the event. 
 
Authorities closed off the perimeter of the Hatch Shell to the public, and
boats were prohibited along the Esplanade. 
 
A 41-foot utility Coast Guard boat and two 25-foot Coast Guard boats were
scheduled to be on patrol for an estimated 12 hours on the Charles River. 
 
The Transportation Security Administration dispatched special security
teams, including air marshals, canine squads and officers trained in
behavior observation, to Boston's busiest subway stations and to Logan
International Airport. 
 
Phil Orlandella, spokesman for Logan, said the airport remained on the
second-highest security level. 
 
The Massachusetts Turnpike Authority offered drivers free coffee at all 11
service plazas along the Pike to help keep drivers awake. 
 
"As people travel home from their Fourth of July festivities, we want to
ensure that they are as alert as possible," said Turnpike Executive Director
Mary Jane O'Meara. "We don't want needless accidents to mar our nation's
celebration." 
 
Meanwhile, at a command post on Beacon Street, members of more than 20
federal, state and local public safety agencies monitored the security
situation on nine large screens projecting a weather map, road closings and
the Charles River. 
 
"We're using more remote cameras this year, but most of all, we hope people
just have a great time and never need to know about this place," said David
Mugar, the event's executive producer.

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