Bay State beefs up politicians’ security

Police in Massachusetts are stepping up security for politicans after explosive devices were sent to Hillary Clinton, President Obama, CNN and others yesterday.

A team from the state police Bomb Squad went to the State House yesterday as a precaution, spokesman David Procopio said, as a result of the suspicious packages received at multiple locations in the New York and Washington, D.C., areas and Florida.

“There have been no suspicious items sent (to the State House) or to any other Massachusetts locations,” Procopio said.

The state police Fusion Center has been in contact with federal law enforcement, Procopio said, and will pass on any relevant information to local police.

“There will definitely be an increase in protection around high-profile politicians,” said former Boston police commissioner Edward F. Davis. “There’s no question about it.”

Davis, who oversaw the response to the marathon bombings in 2013 and now runs his own security firm, says his clients have been experiencing more threats in the last six months to a year.

“We’ve been bracing for this type of incident,” Davis said. “There are a lot of extreme feelings right now, and in a situation like this, regardless of philosophy, this is a reprehensible attack on innocent people. and we need to find the people responsible for it.”

Cambridge police have been communicating with U.S. Capitol Police, and have increased coverage in particular areas within the city, CPD spokesman Jeremy Warnick said. He declined to provide details. U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, who has a national profile as a likely 2020 Democratic presidential candidate often targeted with Twitter gibes by President Trump, lives in Cambridge.

“Certainly if we become aware through our partners of anything inbound, of anything of concern, we’ll be quick to address that,” Warnick said. “At this point we don’t have any reason to believe of any credible threats or concerns.”

Holly Robichaud, strategist for state Rep. Geoff Diehl, who is challenging Warren in the race for the U.S. Senate, said security was stepped up after the most recent debate between the two candidates due to heightened rhetoric.

“It’s of concern, and that’s why we’ve increased security at our events,” Robichaud said. “It’s disappointing and Geoff pointed out during the debate that Sen. Warren has participated in the charged political climate.”

Boston police Sgt. Detective John Boyle said Boston “has no credible threats,” but he said, “We are increasing our security. As always, remind people to remain vigilant and if they see or hear something to certainly say something.”

Boyle noted that anyone who receives a suspicious package in the mail should contact police.