SAFE HARBOR Sail Boston security measures planned Officials call on public to be ‘eyes and ears’
Security is the top priority ahead of this weekend’s Sail Boston, federal, state and city officials said, calling on the 2 million expected visitors to plan ahead and keep their eyes open despite the lack of any specific threats.
“If you see something out of the ordinary, just grab a public safety official — there will be plenty of Boston police officers down there,” Mayor Martin J. Walsh said at a press conference yesterday. “We’d rather be safe than sorry.”
The Herald reported yesterday that Sail Boston, which is drawing 55 sailing ships from eight countries from June 17-22, was given Homeland Security’s highest designation of risk — Special Event Assessment Rating 1.
Police Commissioner William B. Evans said that designation was due to the complexity of the event and its international aspects, not because of any current threats, which FBI officials backed up.
“There is nothing conspicuous regarding the current threat picture,” said Hank Shaw, FBI special agent in charge of Boston, adding to the chorus of officials calling on the public to be vigilant:
“You are and will continue to be an invaluable extension of our eyes and ears,” he said.
Shaw said 100 FBI agents will be on duty each day of the event.
Evans said several hundred undercover officers trained in recognizing characteristics of potential bombers will be circulating in the crowds.
Evans would not say how many officers will be on duty and in the crowds at any time, but police officials have said the entire 2,000-officer department will be on “full department callout” for the event.
Evans said the public will have to pass through checkpoints from South Boston to Charlestown, and police will block access to the waterfront using heavy machine vehicles.
He urged residents to move on from viewing areas that have filled up and to review the list of prohibited items — including backpacks and large coolers — in order to keep the security process moving.
But Evans said the security is not intended to overwhelm the event and prevent people from enjoying the tall ships.
“You won’t see officers with machine guns, it’s not that type of event,” Evans said.
Gov. Charlie Baker called on visitors to take public transportation to the harbor area instead of driving, and also said visitors should prepare in advance by looking at road closures and determining where and how to view the ships this weekend.
“There’s going to be a ton of humanity, it’s really important for people to do some homework on this,” Baker said.
Walsh said he would not have full costs for Sail Boston’s security until after the event is over, but said the five-day event is expected to bring in $120 million in business.
“We encourage all visitors to the city to spend as much money as you want,” Walsh joked.