Public Officials Ensure Safe Race for Boston 118

PUBLIC OFFICIALS TO ENSURE SAFE RACE AT 118th BOSTON MARATHON

By Chris Lotsbom, @ChrisLotsbom

(c) 2014 Race Results Weekly, all rights reserved



BOSTON (16-Apr) -- Gathering at a press conference fewer than two blocks from the Boston Marathon finish

 line, officials from the Boston Athletic Association, Boston Police Department, and Massachusetts 

Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) addressed members of the media in advance of Monday's 118th running 

of the Boston Marathon.





Among those to speak were Race Director Dave McGillivray, Boston Police Commissioner William Evans, and 

MEMA Director Kurt Schwartz. All three assured those assembled that Patriots' Day in the Commonwealth of

 Massachusetts will be as safe as ever, with special steps taken to validate the well being of runners 

and spectators.



"Everyone is counting on us and we are going to come through," said McGillivray, who has directed the 

race since 2001. "We will definitely be ready."



Speaking primarily about the race itself, McGillivray listed the many changes that can be anticipated on

 Monday. As a result of the increase in field size to 36,000 athletes, a volunteer corps of 

10,000-strong will be on hand from the start in Hopkinton through the finish in Boston. A no-bag policy 

for runners has been implemented, and public address systems have been installed all along the course in

 case of emergency.



"I truly believe because of our public safety officials that this will be the safest place on the planet

 on April 21. It will be a family-friendly fun event," said McGillivray in a strong, convincing tone.



Following McGillivray's comments, Schwartz took the podium and explained the seven-month long process to

 create a safe race atmosphere. Schwartz distinguished three key points his team has worked on in 

particular: preparedness, public engagement, and prevention.



"Our overarching goal, as it has been for the B.A.A., has been to develop a safety and security plan 

that meets the needs of the eight cities and towns while maintaining the traditional character of 

Patriots' Day and the Boston Marathon," he said. "I am personally confident that we have and will 

achieve that goal."



A key component in the lead-up to April 21 has been public awareness, encouraging the "see something, 

say something" rule to report suspicious activity to police or security officials.



In addition, more than 3,000 police officers and National Guard representatives will be along the race 

course, as well as up to 500 plain-clothed (undercover) officers. According to Boston Police 

Commissioner Evans, many of the officers have undergone specific training that will help them pick up on

 and notice suspicious activity.



More than 100 video cameras will send live video to a security command center as well.



Evans, who finished the 2013 Boston Marathon in 3:34:06, added that security on Boylston Street will be 

extra tight. At the 117th Boston Marathon on April 15, 2013, two bombs exploded, killing three and 

wounding more than 200.



"We have different security measures that we have taken this year," said Evans. "[We] will have tighter 

measures getting into that area as a spectator, as well as getting into that area if you are a worker."



Evans said that once Boylston Street reaches a certain capacity and pedestrian traffic is disturbed to 

an extent, then spectators not already on the finishing stretch will be asked to move and watch the race

 elsewhere. Evans said there wasn't a certain spectator number that would cause this per-se, rather it 

depends on the flow of bystanders in and out of the area.



Evans, in his first year as Commissioner after taking over for Edward Davis, dealt with a security issue

 on Tuesday evening, as two unattended backpacks were left close to the finish line on Boylston Street. 

One of the backpacks was said to have contained a rice cooker, a fact confirmed by Evans. Because of 

this, safety officials were forced to clear the surrounding area and take necessary measures to 

determine contents in the bag weren't explosives.



"I think unfortunately last night we had an incident that you can see what the anxiety level goes up 

when an unattended backpack gets left on the street," Evans said. "I think it really set the tone last 

night, how important it is to ask you not to bring that type of item [backpacks]."



Evans assured, again, that his goal was to make the 118th Boston Marathon the safest race possible while

 not disturbing the joyous atmosphere that comes with the event.



"We want this to continue to be the great race that it has always been," he said. "I am very confident 

in our officers. I think you've seen what a great job they did last year on April 15, and I'm sure they 

are going to do a great job this year in making the race the jewel that it has always been as the best 

marathon in the world."





PHOTO: Boston Police Commissioner William Evans addresses the media at a press conference in Boston on 

April 16, 2014, in advance of the 118th Boston Marathon