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From YouTube: First Night Press Conference - 12/28/22
Description
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu joins City leaders and event organizers to host a press conference regarding preparations ahead of First Night, Boston’s annual New Year’s Eve celebration. The City is a partner of the New Year’s Eve event, which is managed by Conventures, Inc.
A
Hey
everyone,
thank
you
for
being
here,
I
hope
everyone
had
a
safe,
happy
and
warm
holiday
and
our
we're
all
excited
about
preparations
for
a
wonderful,
New,
Year
and,
of
course,
our
our
very
important
city-wide
celebration
of
first
night.
I
am
here
with
colleagues
and
stakeholders
from
across
Boston
and
our
agencies
within
the
city
and
our
sister
agencies
across
other
Public
Safety
Partners,
to
ensure
that
our
residents
and
visitors
are
prepared
and
understand
all
the
the
preparations
that
we
are
putting
in
to
help
bring
in
the
New
Year
safely.
A
And
so
you
will
hear
shortly
from
Boston
Police
Commissioner
Michael
Cox,
our
chief
of
EMS
Chief
Jim
hooley,
our
chief
of
operations
or
the
Boston
Fire
Department
chief
calabresi,
chief
of
Emergency
Management
Chief,
Ben
Benford
is
here
as
well:
Amy
Yandel,
the
director
of
our
tourism
office,
tourism,
special
events
office.
Thank
you
so
much
for
all
that
you
do
and
Dusty
Rhodes,
president
of
conventures
and
chief
green
of
the
MBTA
Transit
Police
as
well
before
I,
give
my
remarks.
B
Hi
everybody
I'm
very
honored
to
be
able
to
speak
today,
given
the
fact
that
I'm
86
years
old
and
first
night
is
still
running
thanks
to
Dusty,
Rhodes
and
conventures.
I've
came
today
to
bring
a
quilt
that
I
made
when
first
night
was
10
years
old.
That
has
a
lot
of
the
visual
history
of
first
night
and
I.
Guess
that's
all
I.
We
we
base
the
people
who
started
it.
It
started
around
my
dinner
table
and
the
first
meeting.
B
It
was
a
group
of
artists
for
the
most
part
and
the
first
meeting
was
hopeless
and
then
the
second
meeting
we
went
around
the
table
and
each
each
person
was
asked
what
they
would
contribute,
and
so
one
was
one
person
said
that
the
churches
of
the
city
became
the
center
of
what
happened
on
first
night,
and
so
most
of
the
performances
were
in
churches,
and
then
it
would
be
a
night
for
all
that
you
wouldn't
have
to
find
a
babysitter.
B
You
could
bring
your
kids
what
it's
hard
for
me
to
think
of
all
the
things,
but
there
was
one
woman
who
wanted
to
have
horses
come
in
from
all
corners
of
the
city
and
Converge
on
City
Hall,
and
that's
the
only
thing
that
didn't
happen
so
anyway.
Thank
you
all
and
thank
you.
A
My
family
can't
wait.
I
really
appreciate
the
focus
on
ensuring
that
those
with
kids
and
every
generation
has
something
to
enjoy
at
first
night.
The
ice
sculptures.
The
the
visuals
that
wow
the
ability
to
move
all
around
different
spaces
and
find
something
new
and
exciting
is
always
a
treat
for
us
as
we
prepare
to
ring
in
the
New.
Year
and
I
want
to
thank
conventors
with
leadership
from
Dusty,
and
so
many
others
for
partnering
with
us
to
put
on
what
I
know
will
be
another
great
first
night.
A
This
is
the
first
time
since
the
pandemic
that
we
are
able
to
once
again
host
indoor
events
as
part
of
the
celebration,
and
so
there
will
be
indoor
programming
in
the
Boston
Public
Library
Copley,
Place
Mall
and
some
Churches
across
the
city.
Some
of
the
family-friendly
programming
that
we'll
go
on
throughout
the
weekend
includes
puppet
shows.
A
We
want
to
you'll
hear
more
about
that
from
our
partners
here,
but
I
wanted
to
remind
everyone
to
also
just
be
aware
of
your
surroundings
and
please
report
anything
that
you
might
see
or
feel
is
out
of
place
and
if
you
or
someone
near
you
is
experiencing
an
emergency,
please
call
9-1-1
or
tell
a
nearby
officer
to
our
Emergency.
Services
departments
can
respond
appropriately,
and
commissioner
Cox
will
speak
shortly
about
about
with
more
details
about
Public
Safety.
A
We
want
to
remind
everyone
that
it
is
illegal
to
illegal,
to
use,
have
or
sell
fireworks
because-
and
there
will
be
plenty
of
fireworks
for
people
to
enjoy
we'll
have
those
events
at
the
common
and
the
harbor
for
residents
to
experience
and
we'll
hear
more
from
this
on
firework
safety,
in
particular,
from
Chief
of
operations.
Calabresi
first
night
celebrations
go
well
into
the
night
and
we
want
to
make
sure
everyone
is
able
to
get
home
safely
if
you're
driving.
A
There
will
likely
be
more
pedestrians
out
this
weekend,
and
so
we
are
just
asking
everyone
to
be
extra
vigilant
while
driving
under
no
circumstance
should
you
be
driving
while
Under
the
Influence
do
not
risk
this,
make
sure
that
you
have
a
designated
driver
ready
and
prepared
to
reduce
congestion
on
our
roads.
We
encourage
folks
to
take
the
tea
and
that'll
be
a
little
easier
this
weekend,
thanks
to
our
friends
at
the
MBTA
from
this
Saturday
starting
at
8pm
until
the
end
of
service,
the
entire
tea
will
be
free.
You
know
how
I
feel
about
that.
A
This
means
buses,
trains,
the
commuter
rail
will
all
be
free
and
accessible
to
everyone.
This
will
be
the
easiest,
most
direct
and
most
convenient
way
to
get
around
and
to
access
the
festivities
downtown.
A
To
ensure
that
everyone
has
ample
time
to
usher
in
the
new
year
and
still
get
home
on
the
tee.
Local
train
service
will
be
extended
until
about
2
A.M,
and
you
can
use
the
mbta's
website's
website
to
find
exact
times
for
each
line
and
to
see
if
you
can
find
a
free
commuter
rail
home
that
matches
the
time
and
location
that
you
are
looking
for.
A
Last
weekend
we
experienced
an
intense
rainstorm
here
and
coastal
flooding
that
came
along
with
it,
and
so,
while
we
are
looking
forward
to
warmer
weather
than
we
had
last
week
headed
into
the
new
year,
it
is
still
important
to
be
prepared.
The
majority
of
this
year's
activities
and
performances
will
take
place
outside
so
please
be
sure
to
check
the
weather
before
you
head
out
layer
up
and
dress.
Accordingly,
you
can
check
out
all
of
the
events
that
are
happening
this
year
at
boston.gov.
A
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
D
Thank
you
mayor
this
year,
the
police
department
and
in
support
of
the
first
night
2023,
we'll
be
working
with
all
our
public
partners
and
private
partners,
and
we
came
up
with
a
as
usual
another
comprehensive
plan
to
ensure
a
family-friendly
event
where
all
the
participants
and
visitors
and
Spectators
alike
could
have
fun
and
enjoy
the
city.
The
police
department
will
certainly
have
a
large
contingent
of
our
police
presence
within
the
city,
both
in
the
area
where
the
fireworks
and
all
the
events
are
occurring
in
other
parts
of
the
city
as
well.
D
Throughout
the
neighborhoods
of
the
city,
you,
you
will
see
all
our
specialized
units
in
virtually
every
part
of
our
our
department,
working
to
make
sure
that
it's
a
safe
night
for
everyone,
no
matter
where
they
are
so
we
have
some
a
couple
of
do's
and
don'ts
that
we
want
to
emphasize
for
some
folks
that
you
you've
already
heard
we
ask
you
to.
Please
do
not
consume
alcohol
in
public
North.
You
know
smoke
marijuana
in
public
again.
This
is
a
family-friendly
event
and
we'd
like
it
to
keep
it.
D
That
way,
please
don't
use
any
drones,
while
in
the
first
night
area
of
the
events
in
general-
and
you
know,
dress
accordingly,
you
know
whether
it's
rain
snow
cold.
It's
always
important
that
that
you're
safe
in
that
way.
D
E
They
really
wish
to
wish
everybody
in
the
city,
Happy
New
Year,
about
to
come
right,
we're
and
to
that
end,
it's
it's
another
work
day
for
them,
but
it's
a
special
day
right
caught
along
with
everybody
else,
they're
going
to
have
we're
going
to
have
additional
ambulances
staff
across
the
city
on
the
different
shifts,
we'll
have
other
resources,
also
downtown
EMTs
and
paramedics
and
bicycles
earn
cards
for
a
limited
access
like
onto
the
common
or
along
the
procession
routes.
E
So
we'll
have
a
lot
of
people
out
there
to
back
up
this
family-friendly
event,
but
we're
also
going
to
make
sure
we
keep
the
coverage
up
in
the
neighborhoods
because
after
all,
it's
first
night
across
the
whole
city.
It's
not
not
just
downtown
a
couple
of
different
things,
so
we're
just
going
to
recommend
and
ask
for
people
to
do
to
make
it
a
happier
and
healthier
and
safe
for
new
year,
for
everybody
is
one
little
bit
of
you
know
personal
responsibility
if
I
I
hate
to
bring
it
up.
E
But
you
know
flu
and
covid
is
still
out
there.
It's
still
kind
of
circulating,
it's
still
kind
of
peaking.
You
know
it's
it's
affecting
everybody
right.
So
if,
if
you
feel
great
now
good,
if
you
start
to
feel
like
you,
maybe
get
a
little
symptomatic
around
New
Year's,
maybe
that's
the
time
to
stay
home
stream,
something
on
TV
or
or
whatever
you
know.
E
Maybe
just
don't
put
yourself
out
in
a
crowded
situation,
if
you're
not
feeling
well,
and
you
think
you
could
be
a
a
source
of
infection
for
others.
Second,
if
you're
out
with
friends
and
Podium,
that's
great
have
a
great
time,
as
everyone
was
saying,
man
make
sure
you
have
transportation
plans
and
effects,
so
you
don't
have
to
worry
about
driving,
but
also,
if
you're
out
with
friends,
be
a
good
friend,
be
a
good
wingman,
a
good
winged
woman
to
somebody
out
there.
E
If
you
pal
your
girl's,
getting
a
little
bit
looks
like
they're
getting
a
little
bit
too
under
the
weather,
bail
them
out
back
them
up,
make
sure
they
don't
wind
up.
You
know
pre
the
susceptible
to
an
injury
or
pray
for
anybody
also,
oh.
Lastly,
if
if
you're
same
way,
if
you're
hosting
at
home,
just
you
know
try
to
be
responsible,
no
different
than
a
club,
but
somebody
looks
like
they're
overdoing
it
make
sure
they're,
okay,
that
they
get
home
safe.
E
If
not
one
of
the
key
things
is
on
on
New,
Year's,
Eve
and
New
Year's
morning.
Is
that
a
lot
of
a
lot
of
trips
to
the
a
lot
of
calls
to
9-1-1
can
be
can
be
avoided
and
or
maybe
trips
to
an
emergency
room
may
be
able
to
be
avoided
if
people
just
wash
off
themselves
and
watch
out
for
others,
because
Boston
is
great
when
we
take
care
for
each
other.
Thank
you
very
much
have
a
happy
night
and
chief
Calabrese.
F
We
have
a
number
of
safeguards
that
we're
going
to
put
in
place
for
First
Night
Boston
we're
going
to
have
a
Incident
Commander
stationed
at
a
tactical
command
unit
right
outside
of
Copley
Square
he'll
be
monitoring
all
events
in
real
live
time.
So
don't
know
everything
that's
going
on
there
and
if
anything
comes
in
he'll,
be
able
to
report
it
and
do
something
with
it
to
station
the
units.
F
We
also
have
fire
prevention,
Personnel
work
in
conjunction
with
Boston
police,
to
make
sure
the
fireworks
are
okay
to
go
in
that
they're
they're
permanent
and
the
proper
safeguards
are
in
place
with
that
as
well
to
secure
the
sites
where
the
the
fireworks
will
be
displayed
and
to
make
sure
that
the
this
the
scenes
are
secure
when
they
do
light
the
fireworks
off
during
different
times.
F
Also
for
for
those
the
mayor
awarded
to
fireworks
themselves,
they
are
illegal
within
the
state
of
Massachusetts
I'll,
reiterate
that
and
he
purchase
sale
of
use
of
them
forbidden,
leave
it
to
the
experts.
They
know
what
they're
doing
and
they
they
will
get.
They
will
do
a
safe
job.
They'll
make
it
enjoyable
for
all.
Also,
we
have
hazardous
materials
units
that
will
be
in
place
working
also
in
conjunction
with
Boston
Police
Special
Operations.
F
There
will
be
monitoring
the
air
during
all
the
venues
of
first
night
and
if
anything
should
occur
with
that
they'll
be
they'll,
have
enough
personnel
there
to
make
sure
they
bring
it
to
everybody's
attention
and
for
also
any
any
real
life
incidents
that
happened
with
any
hazardous
material.
They
will
be
prepared
to
mitigate
that
situation
as
well,
and,
finally,
we
wish
you
all
a
very
happy
and
safe
night
and
a
happy,
healthy
and
prosperous
new
year
as
well.
Thank
you.
G
Good
morning
my
name
is
Ken
green
I'm,
the
chief
of
the
MBTA
Transit
Police
Department,
first
and
foremost,
I
want
to
state
that
currently
there
are
no
known
threats,
credible
or
otherwise.
To
this
event
or
to
the
MBTA,
however,
will
continue
to
be
in
constant
communication
with
our
local
state
and
federal
law
enforcement
Partners
throughout
the
day
and
night
on
Christmas
Eve.
So
we
encourage
everyone
coming
into
the
city
of
Boston
to
utilize
the
MBTA
Transit
transportation
system
and
enjoy
the
festivities.
G
However,
I
want
to
remind
everyone
that
the
First
Night
Celebration
is
a
family-oriented
event,
so
we
ask
our
writers
to
act
responsibly
and
be
respectful
to
one
another,
and
especially
mindful
of
those
with
children,
the
elderly
and
people
with
disabilities.
As
you
use
to
use
the
MBTA,
there
will
be
additional
Transit
police
officers
throughout
the
system,
both
uniformed
and
and
plain
clothes,
to
ensure
that
everybody
has
a
safe
and
efficient
travel.
As
always,
we
we
like
to
ask
the
Public's
help.
If
you
see
something,
please
say
something:
these
are
just
not
words,
they
mean
something.
G
If
you
see
something
that
is
out
of
place
and
some
you
feel
that
we
need
to
be
notified,
please
do
so.
You
can
call
the
Transit
Police
at
617-22-1212,
or
you
can
speak
to
any
public
safety
official
during
during
the
night
that
you
run
into.
But
please,
if
you
see
something,
say
something
the
MBTA
provides
for
its
writers,
a
great
tool,
a
great
safety
tool.
It's
called
the
CC
say
app.
G
We
that
dispatcher
might
need
a
little
bit
more
information,
so
you'll
go
back
and
forth,
but
once
we
figure
that
out,
we
will
immediately
send
offices
or
an
officer
to
that
location.
It's
a
great
tool
that
the
MBTA
has
for
arthritis
to
help
us
to
keep
our
system
safe
and
I'm.
Just
going
to
repeat
what
the
mayor
has
already
stated:
New
Year's
Eve
service
on
the
subway
will
be
operating
on
a
Saturday
schedule,
with
increased
service
beginning
at
3
pm
increased
service.
Also.
G
H
Thank
you.
My
name
is
Dusty
Rhodes
I'm
with
conventures,
and
we
proudly
have
produced
this
wonderful
festival
for
the
last
eight
years,
I'd
like
to
point
out
mayor,
it
would
not
be
possible
if
it
were
not
for
all
of
these
agencies.
This
this
event
would
not
happen
and
through
the
cooperation
and
the
leadership
of
the
mayor,
all
that
you've
seen
here
today
is
why
first
night
can
continue
in
this
48th
year.
So
thank
you
again.
H
H
And
this
year,
as
the
mayor
has
also
mentioned,
we
had
back
to
our
indoor
activities
in
the
Boston
Public
Library
Trinity,
Church,
Copley,
mall,
Old,
South
Etc,
as
well
as
we've
extended
it
to
a
two-day
event
where
we
had
music
and
ice
sculptures
and
so
forth
in
Copley
Square,
which
also
then
brings
a
whole
new
set
of
people
back
into
the
city.
A
Yeah
we're
hoping
that
this
is
an
opportunity
to
take
advantage
of
for
better
worse
warmer
weather
at
this
time
of
year,
and
so
just
come
prepared
with
boots
and
umbrellas.
But
it'll
be
a
good
time
and
we
will
make
sure
that
the
ice
sculptures
last
as
long
as
they
last.
But
the
spirit
will
be
there.
The
music,
the
performances
and,
of
course,
the
fireworks.
A
We
have
not
finalized
that
decision
and
communicated
that
yet,
but,
as
mentioned
in
the
even
in
the
in
the
preparations,
as
recently
as
late
last
school
year,
there
was
always
a
focus
on
this
time
of
year.
This
time
of
year,
one
year
ago,
is
when
we
were
experiencing
more
than
a
thousand
staff
absences
in
the
schools.
A
Because
of
covid
every
single
day
it
was
when
central
office
administrators
had
to
go
and
step
in,
to
teach
just
to
try
to
have
some
staffing
levels
in
the
schools
that
were
most
intensely
experiencing
the
spike
in
kovid
and
again
this
year.
It's
not
just
kovid.
Those
numbers
have
gone
down
a
bit,
but
it's
many
other
transmissible
ailments
that
are
that
are
affecting
attendance
levels.
A
Our
number
one
priority
is
to
ensure
that
our
schools
can
remain
open
and
that
means
classrooms
have
to
be
staffed,
and
so
that
is
going
into
the
consideration
that
we
will
share
a
decision
with
families
later
in
this
week.
But
our
number
one
goal
is
to
make
sure
that
everyone
is
safe
and
but
mostly
that
the
Staffing
levels
can
be
where,
where
they
need
to
be
in
order
for
schools
to
remain
open.
A
We
know
that,
as
covid
levels
have
ease,
people
have
felt
more
comfortable
traveling
for
the
holidays,
being
in
larger
Gatherings
being
in
more
in-person
situations,
and
that
means
there
will
be
a
natural
jump
in
some
of
the
covid
and
other
levels,
other
illnesses
that
jump
in
those
levels
coming
off
of
this
break.
We
are
thinking
about
the
best
way
to
preempt
that
and
using
the
tools
that
we
have
for
a
potential
temporary
masking
period.
C
D
Probably
the
biggest
challenge
sometimes
is
the
weather.
You
know
if
it's
super
cold
and
a
large
large
number
of
people
who
aren't
dressed
appropriately
and
things
of
that
nature,
but
as
long
as
people
act
responsibly,
this
event
is
doesn't
present
a
great
deal
of
challenges
in
that
way.
But
there
are
other
parts
in
other
areas
where
people
don't
act
responsibly,
maybe
they
drink
and
drive.
You
know,
and
just
really
just
overindulge
and
and
act
inappropriately,
and
so
this
event
typically
doesn't
draw
that
that
type
of
crowd
in
general.