More Security Measures for the Boston Marathon

By CHARLENE ARSENAULT

This year marks the second Boston Marathon since the bombing, which killed three people and injured hundreds of others. Since, officials have tightened even more the security surrounding this historic race. Officials are encouraging people to come out and enjoy the race as always, but even tighter measures will be in place.

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Security meetings, which have taken place since last September, included the Boston Athletic Association, MEMA, and public safety personnel from the eight host communities, as well as state and federal agencies.

The Boston Marathon route begins in Hopkinton and winds through Ashland, Framingham, Natick, Wellesley, Newton Hills and into Boston. The Marathon takes place on Monday, April 20.

The following Q&A was submitted to local police departments by the BAA and MEMA:

• Is the security plan for this year’s Marathon substantially different from last year’s? No. While some changes have been made to this year’s plan, it will look and feel quite similar to last year’s plan to the public. We are not able to share all aspects of this year’s security plan with the public. Like last year, however, the public will notice a significant presence of uniformed public safety personnel, including approximately 3,500 local, state, and federal law enforcement officers and 300 National Guard Military Police Officers. Spectators approaching viewing areas along the course may pass through security checkpoints and public safety officials may ask to inspect bags and other items being carried. In addition, the State Police Air Wing will conduct aerial surveillance of the race and spectators. Elements of the security plan that may not be visible include the deployment of substantial numbers of plain clothed officers, law enforcement tactical resources, and video surveillance cameras and capabilities. Like last year, each host municipality will operate a public safety emergency operations centers, some will stage additional command posts, and MEMA will host the Multi‐ Agency Coordination Center at its headquarters in Framingham.

• What is the public’s role in the security plan? We are affirmatively enlisting the support of runners and spectators in our safety and security plan. Foremost, we are asking everyone who participates in or watches this event to be aware of their surroundings and to take notice of anything that is out of the ordinary or seems suspicious. We ask that people report any such observations to the nearest police officer or by calling 9‐1‐1. Simply put, the message is, “If you see something suspicious, say something.”

• No Drone Zone. This year, the entire route of the Boston Marathon, including the course and spectator areas, will be a No Drone Zone. For the safety and security of the runners and spectators, and the host communities, the public is being advised not to operate drones (unmanned aerial vehicles), including remotely controlled model aircraft, above or anywhere near the course or spectators. Drones are prohibited because they have the potential of startling the public and of being used as weapons, and may present a hazard to aviation, including authorized aircraft supporting the event.

• How will the safety and security plan be coordinated across the eight cities and towns? The safety and security plan begins at the local level. Each of the eight cities and towns along the Marathon course will have an incident command structure and will manage 2 the public safety resources that are deployed within their communities under the Incident Command System and through local Emergency Operations Centers and Command Posts. Overall coordination between the eight cities and towns, and amongst the scores of local, regional, state and federal public safety agencies supporting the Marathon, will take place at the Multi‐Agency Coordination Center (MACC). The MACC will be co‐located in the State Emergency Operations Center. The MACC will consist of over 210 individuals from local, state, federal, private and volunteer agencies and organizations. The MACC, being in constant contact with the eight local communities and the B.A.A., will provide critical resources and information analysis, and coordination of response resources, to support the Incident Command and/or Unified Command for the day’s events. The MACC will be the hub for coordination of all aspects of the race, including communications, transportation, law enforcement, and public health.

• What may spectators bring with them to watch the race? We are asking spectators to follow some reasonable and common sense guidelines when coming to and standing along the Marathon course. These guidelines, if followed, will reduce concerns of the public and help ensure a safe and secure day. Foremost, we are asking spectators NOT to carry backpacks or other over‐the‐shoulder bags, or other bulky items. In particular, spectators are asked NOT to carry the following items: Weapons or items of any kind that may be used as weapons, including firearms, knives, mace, etc.; Backpacks or any similar item carried over the shoulder; Suitcases and rolling bags/rollers; Coolers; Glass containers or cans; Flammable liquids, fuels, fireworks or explosives; Any container capable of carrying more than 1 liter of liquid; Handbags or packages or bulky items larger than 12 inches x 12 inches x 6 inches. o Large blankets/comforters, duvets, sleeping bags; Costumes covering the face or any non‐form fitting, bulky outfits extending beyond the perimeter of the body; Props (including sporting equipment and military and fire gear). In addition, if spectators are going to carry personal items with them, we ask them to carry them in clear plastic bags. Using a clear plastic bag to carry personal items will enhance public safety and speed security screening. In all cases, spectators should keep their personal items under their immediate control at all times. Unattended items may cause delays.

• What may runners carry, and what are they prohibited from carrying? The Boston Athletic Association has updated the rules pertaining to which items are allowable or prohibited for official participants. These rules are intended to ensure the safety of the runners, and take into account this year’s field size of 30,000 official entrants. Participants may carry the following items on race day: o A one gallon clear plastic bag to carry food items or sports drink only. This bag is subject to search. Only one clear plastic bag per runner. o Fanny pack (no larger than 5 inches x 15 inches x 5 inches) to carry food, nutritional products, medicine, identification, cell phone, home/hotel key or other similar and necessary small items. Only one fanny pack per runner. o Standard manufactured “fuel belt” (bottles must be one liter or smaller). o The use of headphones is discouraged, but permitted. Additional layers of clothing may be worn by runners on B.A.A. shuttle buses and in Hopkinton for warmth before the race. Clothing that will not be worn during the race must be discarded in Hopkinton and will be donated to a local charitable organization. On race day, runners are prohibited from carrying any of the following items when entering or within any Marathon venue, including B.A.A. shuttle buses and B.A.A. vehicles, Athletes’ Village in Hopkinton, the start area corrals and start area, the race course, and the finish area in Boston: Backpacks, any similar item carried over the shoulder, or handbags of any size. o Glass containers; Any container capable of carrying more than 1 liter of liquid; Strollers, including baby strollers; Suitcases & rolling bags. o Personal hydration system products (such as CamelBak®, Thor®, etc); Weight vests or any sort of vest with pockets (Note: lightweight running vests are allowable). o Costumes covering the face or any non‐form fitting, bulky outfits extending beyond the perimeter of the body; Props (including sporting equipment and military and fire/gear and signs or flags larger than 11 inches x 17 inches); Any item larger than 5 inches x 15 inches x 5 inches.

• Will the security measures change the overall feel of the event? The comprehensive safety and security plan for the 2015 Boston Marathon will not change the overall feel of the event. The plan is the product of months of work by local, regional, state and federal public safety agencies and the B.A.A. Planners have had the overarching goal of developing a plan that ensures the safety and security of the runners and spectators while maintaining the traditional character of the event as a family and festive event. The comprehensive safety and security plan achieves this goal ‐ ‐ 30,000 participants, 10,000 volunteers, and hundreds of thousands of spectators will enjoy a wonderful day that in most regards will look and feel as it always has. Public safety is committed to a safe, secure and fun day, and the safety and security plan will not change the experience of the runners or spectators.

• How long has security planning for the year’s marathon been going on? Meetings began this past September and have included the B.A.A. and public safety personnel from the eight host communities, as well as state and federal agencies. There have been scores of large group meetings, with more than 120 attendees, and smaller specialized working group meetings over the past seven months. • How many individuals have taken part in these planning meetings? Hundreds of federal, state, local, public safety, private sector and volunteer agencies and organizations continue to meet in preparation for this year’s event.

• How will ‘bandits’ or ‘unauthorized’ participants be dealt with? Unauthorized participation is prohibited. Due to the large field (30,000 entrants) and the narrow roads throughout the course, additional participants will present a safety issue for the runners. Many people want to participate in some way in this year’s Boston Marathon as a display of support. There are several other opportunities which enable a show of support for the Boston Marathon, including the B.A.A. 5K on April 18, attending the John Hancock Sports & Fitness Expo, volunteering, or spectating. The B.A.A. reserves the right to remove any person from the course who is not displaying an official bib that has been assigned by the B.A.A. Similarly, unauthorized units or groups such as military ruck‐sack marchers and cyclists, which have sometimes joined on course, will not be allowed to participate.

• Will there be official military marchers in this year’s Marathon? The Boston Athletic Association continues to embrace the military and military marchers have been a part of the race for many years, including this year. Like last year, the 5 B.A.A. will issue official bibs to members of the Massachusetts National Guard as a way of recognizing their service to their country. Approximately 100 National Guard soldiers will be official participants in this year’s Marathon. The soldiers will depart from Hopkinton early on Monday morning, several hours before the official start of the race. The soldiers, who will march to Boston, are expected to cross the finish line midafternoon. The soldiers will not carry rucksacks and they will follow all of the rules that apply to other official participants.

• Will there be ‘restricted areas’? What will the rules be for them? The B.A.A. has several official venues, including the John Hancock Sports & Fitness Expo in Boston, the invitation‐only grandstand seating at the Finish Line, the Athletes’ Village in Hopkinton, B.A.A. buses/vehicles (from Boston Common to Hopkinton, and shuttle buses within Hopkinton), and several secure spectator viewing areas around the start line in Hopkinton. All persons entering these areas will be subject to security screening, and all bags may be inspected by contracted private security personnel, venue personnel, and law enforcement officers. Regardless of the location along the course, however, enhanced security and practices will exist throughout all publically accessible areas.

• What is the public safety cost for this year’s Boston Marathon? We have not calculated, or estimated, the overall public safety costs for the 2015 Boston Marathon. These costs, however, will be substantial and are being borne by the eight cities and towns that host the race, the regional, state and federal law enforcement and public safety agencies that are supporting the cities and towns, and the Boston Athletic Association. While the costs will be high, cost considerations are not driving the planning process, or dictating the plan. Safety and security is not being compromised because of cost. That is not to say that cost is not being considered; it is, and we are confident that we’ve struck the correct balance between cost, safety and security, and maintaining the traditional character and feel of the day.

• Does the safety and security plan take into account the lessons learned from the 2013 Marathon, both in terms of what worked well, and what could have worked better? Yes. After the 2013 Boston Marathon, all of the public safety agencies participated in one or more after action reviews, including the After Action Review that led to the report that was issued this month by the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency. Over the past two years, individual agencies, cities and towns, regional, state and federal agencies, and our homeland security organizations have worked to implement best practices and recommendations that came out of the after action 6 reviews, and close gaps in our plans and address things that could have worked better. This year’s plan draws on lessons learned, incorporates best practices, closes gaps, and makes improvements to last year’s plans.

• What is being done this year in advance of the Boston Marathon to identify persons or groups that may pose a threat to the event? Since the 2013 Boston Marathon, local, state and federal law enforcement agencies have identified and implemented additional best practices in pre‐event intelligence analysis. While it would not be appropriate to discuss these practices in further detail, there are coordinated and collaborative efforts underway to assess the nature of threats, if any, posed by individuals or groups locally, nationally, or internationally. Systems are in place to effectively review and analyze past and current information and intelligence.
• What is this year’s policy on ‘bandits’ participating in the Marathon? The B.A.A. policy for bandits (unauthorized participants) is the same this year as it has been in recent years ‐ ‐ bandits are prohibited on the course. The field size for this year’s Boston Marathon was jointly determined by the B.A.A. and the cities and towns. Medical support, security, fluid and food support, and logistical support of all types are based on that field size. The entry and registration process was carefully constructed to meet the field size limit and to include a wide variety of entrants. The great majority are runners who have worked very hard for a long time to meet the qualifying standards. The majority of the rest of the field consists of invitational entrants, including those who have raised significant funds for local charities, members of organizations that enable the Marathon to be staged each year, and military groups. While the policy has not changed this year, the B.A.A. and public safety officials are actively discouraging bandits from entering the course this year. The field size of 30,000 entrants means that the course will be at or near capacity in a number of areas at a number of times. An influx of unauthorized runners may cause unacceptable or even dangerous congestion on the course, place an even greater burden on medical tents and race support personnel, and otherwise cause resources to be stretched too thin. In addition, public safety officials are concerned that bandits jumping into the course will cause spectators and qualified participants to be startled or alarmed. 7 Race and public safety officials are asking the public to exercise common sense, and to understand that with 30,000 runners on the course, and with safety and security being on everyone’s minds, this is not the year for unauthorized participants to violate the no‐bandit rule and enter the course without authority. As in past years, unauthorized participants are subject to removal from the course. Race and public safety officials will determine whether to enforce the no‐bandit rule on a case‐by‐case basis and as circumstances warrant.