Boston Marathon 2019: Security, What Not To Bring

BOSTON, MA — Some 7,000 police, FBI and security officials will be out along the marathon route on Marathon Monday for the 123rd running of the Boston Marathon on April 15. This year marks the sixth year since the Marathon Bomb shook the finish line and forced security officials to ramp up their efforts on the day. But it's the first time since the bombings that the race has fallen on the same date.

"As this is the first time the marathon falls on the actual anniversary date of the bombings, I ask everyone to please take a few moments out of their day to remember the victims and their families who were forever changed," said FBI Special Agent in Charge Joseph Bonavolonta.

There have been no credible threats this year to the Boston Marathon, said Bonavolonta, and Massachusetts State Police Col. Kerry Gilpin, still the main message as security officials briefed the public on what they've been planning for the past six months, was "if you see something, say something."

What Security Looks Like

This year the safety and security plan looks like and is very similar to what we have seen the last four years, said Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency Director Sam Phillips and Bonavolonta.

Here's what you'll see at this year's Boston Marathon: Security checkpoints, bomb-sniffing dogs, uniformed police officers, private security, fire officials and emergency management teams and helicopters.

Here's what you probably won't notice: drone-sensing equipment attached with snaking wires to the tops of light poles, extra security cameras up and down the route, plain-clothes police officers roaming the crowd.

Here's what you definitely won't see: the more than 250 security personnel amassed in a MEMA bunker.

That Framingham hub represents the beating heart of the sprawling security operation — communication. It's what helps manage a security infrastructure comprised of more than 70 local, regional and federal forces across eight different municipalities.

That hub, referred to as the Multi-Agency Coordination Center, held roughly 75 people on Marathon day in 2013, Patch previously reported. In 2016 that number went up to about 225 inside the bunker and this year it edges over 250, managing a force of between 7,000 and 8,000 public safety officials and volunteers.

What not to bring:

Officials said spectators should not bring backpacks, roller bags, coolers, over the shoulder bags, no glass bottles or containers that could hold more than 1 liter.

"If you do have a bag we're going to have to ask you to open it," said Boston Police Superintendent Bill Ridge, who added that would mean lines and clogging.

"The fewer things you bring the easier the process will be," he said.

Drones will not be permitted along the course. Last year there were three tethered security drones, two in Hopkinton and one in Natick flying about 400 feet supporting public safety.

Six years later:

Security personnel say they've learned from their experience during the 2013 Boston Marathon that changed security for the Patriot's Day event, and the subsequent years.

Boston area security officials, including Boston Police, State Police, the MBTA Police and Boston FBI units as well as police from the at least five of the other municipalities along the route said they couldn't quantify an increase in threats but said they understood the change and evolution of the threat over the years. They said that radicalization to mobilization period has changed rapidly.

The threat continues to change, so officials said they have had to change with it. And the amount that the region spends on security increases, along with it.

"We are laser focused on finding and stopping any potential threat," said Bonavolonta of the FBI Boston field office, adding officials were working around the clock to that end.

The BAA official Tom Grilk noted that with some 50,000 athletes, nearly 10,000 volunteers, hundreds of thousands of spectators and of 52 miles of roadway that was a lot to plan for.

"They have brought a sense of responsibility to this and a sense of taking it personally that has driven their planning, and it is felt by everyone, " said Grilk who praised the security officials for their work.

"All of Massachusetts takes the marathon of 2013 very personally, none of us will forget those famous words of David Ortiz." said one organizer. "And they go right to our core. If you walk around the streets of Boston you're gonna see people wearing Boston Strong T-shirts. The marathon of 2013 is still on the minds of everybody's mind."

Sam Phillips, MEMA director said lessons learned from last year's wet cold weather meant an increase in warming stations along the route and emergency buses.

"There have always been reception centers along the course, but MEMA has worked with our partners to have additional shelters, and there will be buses," she said noting there will be a primary shelter in each community, and this year each community will have two buses standing by.

Public transit

There will be increased uniformed MBTA police, and SWAT officers and Copley Square Station will be closed, said MBTA Transit Police Chief Green.

The Berkeley Street side of the Arlington Street Station will also be closed, he said.

"And remember if you see something, say something. We are all in this together," said Green.

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Patch reporter Jenna Fisher can be reached at Jenna.Fisher@patch.com or by calling 617-942-0474. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram (@ReporterJenna).