The 4th of July Fireworks are going to be a bit different this year in Boston following the bombings that took place at the Boston Marathon. The Massachusetts State Police has new rules for this year's July 4th Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular at the Boston Esplanade.
Police are going to be on high alert following the Boston Marathon bombings which killed three people and ijured hundreds more on April15.
"Certainly this is a result of the Marathon terror attack and other global events, including attacks and activity in other parts of the world," said State Police Spokesman David Procopio according to Metro. "We always had a solid, effective operational plan for the Fourth, but we knew from the day of the Marathon attacks that we would be reviewing and refining our plan, and as I said, we studied best practices elsewhere, including NYC and London."
Guests will have to go through security to get a closeup look at the show. All guests' bags will be checked and they will not be allowed to bring any backpacks, cans, pre-mixed beverages, liquid containers that are not clear and over two liters, and coolers with wheels. Coolers without wheels are permitted.
In another new addition, those going to the Oval, Lagoon, and Island will have their bags checked and will have a metal detector wand pass over by them security officials. The wanding is a new feature. The perimeter around these around has also been expanded significantly.
In addition to this, the Mass. Ave bridge will be closed to cars and pedestrians starting at 4 p.m. An obvious rule that hasn't changed is that firearms, weapons, sharp objects, glass containers and fireworks, are not permitted. Visitors are also prohibited from grilling or creating open flames.
Police want guests to feel safe as they celebrate the holiday.
"We have absolutely no intelligence to suggest there is any specific threat to the event," he said. "We have an intelligence section constantly monitoring threats across the state and beyond, and there is nothing to suggest any threat to or targeting of this event. Regardless, we need to, and will, remain vigilant."
Event organizers don't think the added security will be a big issue and Bostoners are likely to expect it following the April bombing.
"People are more aware now because of what happened at the Marathon," Steve MacDonald, a spokesperson for Boston4 Productions told Metro. "We're just enhancing (the security measures) that we've always had. There will be more check points, but I think the public understands, and it's hopefully going to be an easy afternoon."
MacDonald expects the same number of people to turn out as in previous years.
"We've run into both sides of the spectrum. Some people are saying that they haven't gone before, but they want to go to prove a point, and others that say 'I'm going to sit this one out.'"
There will be more video surveillance at the park this year and for the first time in 20 years, the show will not be aired on television, but that isn't due to security. Ratings have not been very high.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
