We are three days away from the 2024 Boston Marathon, and while excitement is high for the marathon, safety officials are also on high alert to make sure everyone has a safe race day.
There's just three days to go until 128th running of the Boston Marathon.
With 30,000 runners from 129 countries and all 50 states, there is a massive coordination to try to keep the race safe and secure.
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"A marathon that runs through eight cities and towns requires complex and coordinated preparedness efforts," said Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency Director Dawn Brantley.
"Each year, we build on the previous year's security operation. The plan to protect the event is rigorous and dynamic, there are multiple and redundant layers of security, some of which are visible and obvious, and many others that will not be noticed by the public," said Massachusetts State Police Col. John Mawn.
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There will be security checkpoints at the start line and finish line, items like backpacks, coolers, props and costumes won't be allowed.
There will be four additional miles of barricades along the route to keep spectators off the course. And dump trucks will be parked at intersections, blocking direct access to the marathon course by vehicles.
"There is no intelligence, credible or otherwise, that would suggest that the MBTA or the marathon are targets," said MBTA Transit Police Chief Kenneth Green.
But regional intelligence directors say threats from domestic, international and state-sponsored actors remain elevated, especially with the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.
"Since the start of the conflict, we have seen calls to action from foreign terrorist organizations to attack the United States," said FBI Boston Special Agent in Charge Jodi Cohen. "But our most immediate concern are home-grown violent extremists or lone actors, who self-radicalize with little to no warning and look to attack soft targets."
These law enforcement officials reiterated over and over again that it's everyone's responsibility to keep this race safe.
They need you to be their eyes and ears, so if you see something concerning, say something.
