Officials from the Boston Athletic Association and federal, state and local law enforcement agencies detailed new Boston Marathon security measures at a Monday morning press conference.
Echoing “Boston Strong,” BAA officials said new security measures will work to “Preserve the traditional feel and character” of the marathon.
The 36,000 official participants have been advised: “See something, say something.”
Runners won’t be allowed to wear backpacks during the race. Fanny and fuel packs can be worn by participants, however.
Officials strongly discouraged anyone in attendance from bringing backpacks, coolers, or over the shoulder bags to the event. People are asked to carry personal items in “clear plastic bags.” Security checkpoints will be in place for backpack screenings.
Officials said more police and bomb sniffing dogs will be present along the marathon route, from Hopkinton to Boston’s Boylston Street. Uniformed and plain-clothed officers will be stationed at “high-traffic” areas.
There will be increased video surveillance across all eight marathon cities.
Federal support, including Homeland Security, Secret Service and FBI officials, will work with state and local law enforcement during next month’s marathon to coordinate and share real-time data with the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) security headquarters in Framingham.
The National Guard will deploy at least 400 military service and airmen, at least 300 of which will be armed personnel.
This year’s Boston Marathon is at capacity, BAA officials said, with 9,000 more official participants than last year.
Due to the increase in runners, the marathon won’t be able to accommodate upwards of 1,000 members of the military interested in participating. However, BAA officials said, 130 national guard members will march in groups of 10 or less without backpacks, wearing BAA bibs.
The Military Friends Foundation is organizing a separate ruck-march that will take place Patriots Day weekend. The 26.2-mile marathon Tough Ruck will take place at Battle Road in Concord.
BAA officials stressed that security measures shouldn’t impact the “fun, festive, family oriented” feel of the event.
Over the past seven months, 100 law enforcement officials traveled to other cities that have hosted large athletic events to adopt several of the best security practices for the 2014 marathon, officials said.
This year’s Boston Marathon will take place April 21.
Creative Commons image/Flickr The US Army
