Police and parks officials file into Oval for press conference on July Fourth security.
Well, maybe one surprise: The Mass. Ave. bridge will be shut at 4 p.m. so that some sort of fireworks-related display can be done from it, state officials announced today.
State Police said fireworks attendees can expect bag checks, prohibitions on many items and far greater police and camera surveillance of the Pops concert and fireworks.
Everybody entering the Oval in front of the Hatch Shell - and the lagoon - will be subject to bag checks. Prohibited completely: Backpacks, cans and glass bottles, coolers on wheels, pre-mixed drinks and grills. Allowed: Liquids in sealed plastic containers no greater than 2 liters, tents or canopies of up to 10' by 10' with no sides, blankets and tarps up to 10x12 and folding chairs. Also, you'll have to bring all your personal belongings in a clear, plastic bag (you can put your purse in the bag).
But it gets even more restrictive at 4 p.m., when State Police will bar all items except chairs, tarps and blankets.
State Police say they'll have more troopers - all in yellow vests - patrolling the grounds, along with a larger number of undercover troopers and federal agents. And smile: State Police are installing more surveillance cameras than ever before.
At the July 3 rehersal concert, no tents or canopies will be allowed.
The fireworks this year will begin at 9:30 p.m., rather than 10.
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Comments
Yup
By anon
Thu, 07/04/2013 - 3:41pm
For the years before we got married, my husband lived in an apartment facing Storrow Drive in Kenmore. We'd wait until the latest minute possible and hop over and push our way into the Esplanade crowd for the fireworks, usually after hanging out in the parking lot or going out for drinks.
It's entirely possible, with creativity, to see the fireworks from points outside the security checkpoints. I never go into "secure" areas, they aren't worth it.
what a bunch of nonsense
By anon
Tue, 06/25/2013 - 2:14pm
This is supposed to be a day to celebrate freedom, and they bring this fascism to it? I know they need to step security up, but this is way too far. Put more cops in the crowd, and put more cameras up. Have bomb sniffing dogs around the Esplanade, and look for unattended bags. Those are acceptable security measures. These checkpoints are insanity. There aren't even words to describe how awful closing the bridge is. Welcome to the Police States of America. It's a Brave New World out there. I'm going to be protesting at the Restore the Fourth rally instead. We're all afraid of our own shadows now. You're more likely to be struck by lightning than to be killed by a terrorist. We're giving up everything we hold dear as a country to protect ourselves against a very sm's surveall, yet very visible threat. We're the land of the NSA and the home of the cowards now. Ben Franklin once said, "Those who would sacrifice freedom for security deserve neither."
fascism
By Saul
Tue, 06/25/2013 - 2:20pm
Don't mention fascism.
You may offend whyaduck.
Didn't Dzhokhar Tsarnaev say
By datadyne007
Tue, 06/25/2013 - 2:14pm
Didn't Dzhokhar Tsarnaev say that their original plan was July 4th/Esplanade, but they switched the bombings to the Marathon instead? I have no problem with the extra security this year, given that it was the original target. Next year, we can relax it.
And he's in a prison bed and
By Saul
Tue, 06/25/2013 - 2:18pm
And he's in a prison bed and his brother's in the ground.
So what's your point?
>> I have no problem with the extra security this year
Who said anything about security?
>> Next year, we can relax it
You mean anyone who is mentally disturbed and was planning an attack next week but who is deterred by the extra police show will suddenly stop being disturbed once the clock strikes 2014?
You really think any of this security show is going to be relaxed once it's implemented once?
Because all the security stopped the Marathon
By anon
Tue, 06/25/2013 - 2:18pm
bombings...oh wait...
Bag checks would have
By datadyne007
Tue, 06/25/2013 - 2:50pm
Bag checks would have prevented the Marathon bombings. They are unfortunately impossible given the way the Marathon is currently set up though (and should stay that way - open to all people). The Esplanade is a different story because there are already controlled points of entry and exit.
Wrong
By Saul
Tue, 06/25/2013 - 3:00pm
Bag checkpoints at the finish area would have indeed prevented a bombing at the finish area.
But do you think someone who is so mentally deranged as to want to stage such an attack would not just plant their devices a few blocks away? I have news for you: Kenmore Square (especially as the Sox game is ending) and other areas near the end of the course are just as packed as Boylston Street. That's the problem with these kinds of checkpoints: they don't necessarily deter an attack, they just shift its location a few hundred feet or yards.
Look at the Moscow airport bombing a few years ago: it was in the baggage claim area, where anyone can waltz into and out of.
Cambridge side is a better place to watch the fireworks
By Ron Newman
Tue, 06/25/2013 - 2:39pm
for many reasons.
The view is better.
MIT buildings are open to the public and provide air-conditioning, shelter from rain or thunderstorms, restrooms, water fountains, and vending machines.
The MIT student center at 84 Mass. Ave. contains a grocery store, as well as several fast-food restaurants.
But ... don't try to use the Kendall Square Red Line station right after the fireworks end. It simply isn't built to handle that kind of crowd. Plan to either wait a while (which should be easier now that fireworks will end at 10 pm), ride a bicycle, or walk up to Lechmere to get a #69, #80, #87, or #88 bus.
I have not heard whether
By Saul
Tue, 06/25/2013 - 2:43pm
I have not heard whether there will also be checkpoints along Mem Drive. The crowds there are just as intense as along the Esplanade.
If not, then this truly is security theater.
Make it look like something is being done to protect against an unspecified threat yet leave countless thousands exposed to the same vague threat.
Cambridge Police
By Saul
Tue, 06/25/2013 - 3:32pm
Their response to my query --
https://twitter.com/CambridgePolice/status/3496097...
Can I bring my copy of the Fourth Amendment as long as it's in a small clear bag?
C'mon Saul, make it more interesting!
By issacg
Tue, 06/25/2013 - 3:53pm
and bring copies of all the relevant cases that interpret the Fourth, too!
You might also consider bringing your copy of Article 14 of the Declaration of Rights and the relevant state cases (I suggest Carkhuff, in particular).
You'll have tons of fun!
Way to go, Ron!
By anon
Thu, 06/27/2013 - 4:02am
Your suggestions and points make great, good sense! Keep up the good work!
a happy naked fourth
By Better2bAnon
Tue, 06/25/2013 - 4:11pm
What we really need to do here is ban clothing on the Esplanade during the celebration. I would feel real safe then. Maybe concerned citizens should just take it upon themselves to declare the event "clothing optional" and there would be very little need for security at all. No need for bag checks or searches.
Nice...
By fairlee76
Wed, 06/26/2013 - 9:42am
Now that would be a reason to venture from JP down to the Esplanade!
A new tag line!
By fairlee76
Tue, 06/25/2013 - 5:08pm
Boston Scared!
Welcome, suburbanite Herald
By anon
Tue, 06/25/2013 - 6:12pm
Welcome, suburbanite Herald readers!
Interesting...
By fairlee76
Wed, 06/26/2013 - 9:45am
This may be interesting only to me, but I wonder about the demographic make-up of the Boston Strong crowd. Mostly people that have lived in Boston for a short period of time? A lot of folks from the 'burbs? Among my friends, only those who a) have not lived in Boston long/don't have roots here or b) love catchy slogans (Yankees Suck! Boston Strong! LiveStrong!) got into the Boston Strong branding.
To criticize security
By anon
Tue, 06/25/2013 - 5:50pm
To criticize security procedures because they are not 100% effective is setting the bar too high. Banks are still robbed despite the (ineffective) laws against that activity.
Security could be a lot cheaper and maybe a lot more effective if only certain people based on their religion or nationality were targeted. But that is not how we do things in our country. So unlike many here I find the approach to treat everyone suspiciously although wasteful of money and causing a lot of inconvenience is really in its intent in the spirit of the 4th.
Bahhhhh!
By anon
Tue, 06/25/2013 - 8:28pm
Terry McVehhhhhhhh ... Unibahhhhhhhmer ... Eric Rahhhhhhhbert Rudahhhhhhhhph.
Cambridge side
By Saul
Tue, 06/25/2013 - 8:17pm
A reply from the state police --
https://twitter.com/MassStatePolice/status/3496800...
Conflicting answers from the state police and the Cambridge police.
Fireworks to be shot from Mass. Ave. bridge
By Ron Newman
Tue, 06/25/2013 - 8:28pm
from the event's [url=http://july4th.org/The_Blog/P/91]official announcement[/url] today:[quote] Also for the first time in the show’s 40-year history, pyrotechnics will be fired off of the Mass Ave. Bridge as a key element to the main fireworks display[/quote]
I don't know if they really need 5 1/2 hours to prepare for this, but if they do, that explains the 4 pm bridge closing.
And State Police come back with ...
By adamg
Tue, 06/25/2013 - 10:02pm
This tweet:
And...
By Kaz
Fri, 07/05/2013 - 12:01am
They fired fireworks from the bridge.
So, the MSP doesn't even know why they shut the bridge down...but we trust them to make rules that violate our rights while looking for hidden terrorists?
Mooninites again
By massmarrier
Thu, 07/04/2013 - 10:56am
How fortunate we are in Boston. We have the same city and state cop forces who kept us safe from Mooninites. We obey.
http://bit.ly/gyCh9z
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