ALL EYES ON ESPLANADE FOR FOURTH FETE
Collaborative security effort
Security officials are taking a multi-layered, multi-agency approach today as hundreds of thousands of patriotic spectators are expected to descend on the Esplanade for the annual Boston Pops Fourth of July concert and fireworks show, a top official said.
“Between recent marathons and Sail Boston, these events don’t go off without complete cooperation between law enforcement agencies and other public safety agencies,” state police Col. Richard McKeon told reporters inside the Unified Command Center, set up annually to provide security for the holiday festivities. “We think we have a great plan in place.”
State police will work with Boston police and fire, Cambridge police and fire, Boston EMS, the Department of Conservation and Recreation, and numerous federal partners, including the FBI, the Department of Homeland Security, the National Guard, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to provide security for the event, which is expected to draw as many as 300,000 spectators, McKeon said.
“We don’t have any threats we are aware of,” he said, “but it’s the ones we don’t know about that are always concerning for us.”
Hundreds of cameras will survey the areas in and around the oval where the concert will take place, and a tethered drone similar to the two that patrolled the skies over Hopkinton on Marathon Monday will be deployed, McKeon said.
The colonel said authorities are evaluating whether the drone will become a permanent security fixture for large events.
“I think it gives you a better view of the event,” he said. “It can be helpful. We have cameras positioned that give similar views. I think it’s a great addition.”
Heavy equipment will be used as road-blocking apparatus to thwart attempts at driving vehicles into the large crowds, a style of attack that has been used in several high-profile terror attacks in Europe.
Maj. Rick Ball, who commands Troop H, covering the metro Boston area, said road closures that began yesterday at 3 p.m. will continue until early tomorrow morning. He advised spectators to take public transportation and to check online for the list of prohibited items. Patrons are also advised to bring small bags and coolers to help streamline the search process, Ball said.
Tony Award winner Brian Stokes Mitchell, pop star Andy Grammer, folk rock singer-songwriter Melissa Etheridge and Leslie Odom Jr. of “Hamilton” fame will headline the show, along with Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops. Grammer gave passersby on the Esplanade a free show yesterday as he performed his hit, “Honey, I’m Good,” and the full dress rehearsal took place last night.
Forecasts call for mostly sunny skies for the holiday and temps will soar into the mid-80s.
“Heat is going to be a factor,” McKeon said.
“As others have stated, sunblock of course and try to drink plenty of water.”