SECURITY CHECK
Hub presses venues over security plans
The roughly 60 city venues with a capacity of 1,000 or more — including Fenway, TD Garden and nightspots like the House of Blues — are being ordered to give updates on their security plans on the heels of the chilling revelation that the Las Vegas gunman was scoping out Fenway Park online.
Mayor Martin J. Walsh’s Office of Consumer Affairs and Licensing has begun contacting larger venues, which also include the Orpheum Theater, Agganis Arena and the Wilbur Theater, and is asking for updated security plans, according to a letter provided to the Herald.
“As you are aware, public safety is of the utmost importance to this office and this inquiry is being made to ensure all licensees are taking proactive measures to secure the safety of their patrons, employees and the public at large,” Christine Pulgini, chairwoman of the licensing board, wrote in a letter yesterday.
Bob Luz, president and CEO of the Massachusetts Restaurant Association, said he had not seen the letter and couldn’t comment, except to say safety is always a priority.
“Given the nature of what’s occurred in the past week, there’s a heightened sensitivity to make sure that large gathering spots are safe,” Luz said. “The safety of our guests is what’s most important, no matter if it’s 10 or 1,000 seats.”
The Las Vegas shooter, Stephen Paddock, Googled “sites around Fenway Park” and the Boston Center for the Arts in the South End, authorities said Thursday. It was not clear when Paddock surfed the web about the city, and police said they had no information that he had visited the Hub.
The Red Sox, who will play Game 3 of the American League Division Series against the Houston Astros tomorrow, urged fans to arrive early “to leave time for security screenings at the gates” outside Fenway Park.
“For the postseason, a comprehensive sweep of the ballpark will be completed by Explosive Ordnance Detection (EOD) teams who will remain on site during the game,” the Red Sox said in a statement. “Parking and traffic restrictions in the neighborhood will be strictly enforced.”
The team also noted that security personnel are “in constant communication with the law enforcement and public safety community” and that it receives threat assessments daily from the Boston Regional Intelligence Center — a statewide informationsharing agency.
Fenway Park recently hosted several major concerts, including Lady Gaga last month and Billy Joel in August. There are also several sporting events in the city today. The Boston College football team will play Virginia Tech at Alumni Stadium. The Northeastern men’s hockey team, meanwhile, will drop the puck at Matthews Arena for a night game against Sacred Heart.
On Columbus Day, the Bruins and Celtics will both play games at the Garden, and if the Red Sox win tomorrow,
they will return to Fenway for Game 4 of the American League Division Series.
State and city officials have repeatedly said that there is no indication Boston is currently a target.