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From YouTube: Boston Marathon Safety Press Conference - 4/12/22
Description
Boston Mayor Mayor Michelle Wu hosts a press conference to discuss public safety preparations for the 126th Boston Marathon. She is joined by Tom Grilk, President & CEO of the B.A.A, Boston Police Superintendent-In-Chief Gregory Long, Boston EMS Chief James Hooley, Boston Fire Commissioner Jack Dempsey, Chief of Emergency Management Shumeane Benford, and Chief of Streets Jascha Franklin-Hodge.
A
A
The
past
few
years
have
felt
like
a
bit
of
a
marathon
for
everyone,
not
in
a
good
way.
We
have
been
through
a
lot
in
our
community,
and
so
after
a
virtual
event
in
2020
and
a
rescheduled
event
that
occurred
last
fall.
We're
very
excited
to
welcome
back
the
actual
boston
marathon
back
to
spring.
For
the
first
time
in
three
years,
this
year's
race
will
mark
this
year's
race
will
mark
the
126th
running
of
the
world's
oldest
annually
held
marathon.
A
I
also
want
to
acknowledge
that
this
year
marks
the
50th
anniversary
since
women
were
officially
allowed
to
participate
in
the
boston
marathon,
and
I
say
officially
because
well
before
then
we
know
that
women,
like
roberta
gibbs
athletes,
who
refuse
to
let
discrimination,
dictate
the
rules
of
the
race
for
them,
hid
in
the
bushes
near
the
starting
line
and
ran
anyway
wove
their
way
into
the
crowd
of
runners.
Once
the
starting
gun
went
off
running
the
full
marathon,
even
though
the
scorp
keepers
didn't
acknowledge
them.
A
A
A
Finally,
I
do
want
to
say
a
word
about
kovid.
As
always,
the
safety
of
all
of
our
spectators,
runners
and
residents
is
our
top
priority,
and
I
want
to
urge
everyone
attending
this
year's
marathon
and
related
gatherings
to
take
precautions
when
it
comes
to
public
health.
In
the
last
few
weeks,
cases
in
boston
have
risen.
A
We
are
now
at
a
5.4
community,
positivity
rate,
which
is
above
our
threshold,
and
we
are
monitoring
that
very
carefully.
So
it's
important
that
we
take
steps
to
protect
ourselves
and
those
around
us
who
might
be
at
high
risk
of
severe
infection.
You
can
do
that
by
getting
tested
before
or
after
this
year's
race.
We
have
free
testing
sites
throughout
the
city.
A
A
Wearing
a
mask
can
also
minimize
your
risk
of
catching
and
spreading.
The
virus
masking
indoors
is
still
optional,
but
we
know
it's
one
of
the
best
ways
you
can
stop
the
spread
of
covid19
and
if
you're
sick,
please
stay
home
and
isolate
to
prevent
further
spread
to
those
around
you.
I'm
looking
forward
to
celebrating
a
safe
fun
marathon
with
everyone
in
our
city
and
all
the
visitors
that
we
are
eager
to
welcome,
espanol
and
I'll
hand
it
over
to
our
ceo
of
the
baa
tom
grilk.
C
Madam
mayor,
thank
you
and
first
off,
I
joined
mayor
wu
in
sending
from
the
boston,
athletic
association
and
I'm
sure
from
all
of
us
in
boston
are
very
best
to
everybody
in
new
york
as
they
confront
challenge
and
horror.
Yet
again,
we
in
boston
and
new
york
are
separated
by
rivalries
here
and
there,
but
when
it
comes
to
something
happening,
we
are
united
and
we
send
them
all
the
strength
and
resilience
that
being
something
that
we
have
always
shared
and
will
continue
to
share.
C
C
It
took
us
900
days
to
get
to
a
boston
marathon
in
2021
last
october,
and
just
a
quick
turnaround
of
139
days
to
get
to
here
today
and
it's
unprecedented
to
hold
two
boston
marathons
in
just
six
months,
and
we
are
therefore
particularly
appreciative
of
everything
that
everyone
here
at
city
hall
has
done.
We've
referring
again
to
something
mayor
wu
mentioned.
C
We're
sure
that
their
guidance
will
allow
for
a
successful
and
safe
return
now
in
april,
and
we
look
forward
to
not
only
the
return
of
the
marathon
on
its
traditional
patriots
day
date
after
over
a
thousand
days,
but
also
to
our
baa
5k
and
our
invitational
miles
and
our
youth
relays
on
saturday.
We're
also
delighted
to
offer
free
events
and
programming
for
everybody
in
copley
square
park,
beginning
on
friday
morning
and
lasting
through
sunday
evening
at
our
baa
website.
C
You
can
find
a
full
schedule
of
all
events
and
we
are
very
happy
to
be
able
to
do
our
part
in
the
reopening
of
society
and
noteworthy
in
that
regard.
As
was
announced
yesterday,
the
boston
marathon
will
bring
in
more
than
200
million
dollars
to
the
greater
boston
economy,
as
announced
by
the
convention
and
visitors
bureau.
C
D
Good
afternoon,
first
one
I
want
to
start
out
by
thanking
all
our
federal
state
and
local
partners,
including
the
baa,
as
well
as
the
other
city
agencies,
including
emergency
management,
for
all
the
planning.
That's
gone
into
this
for
the
months
leading
up
to
this
all
the
way
through
the
weekend.
Without
those
partnerships,
we
wouldn't
be
able
to
put
this
plan
in
place.
Obviously,
the
boston
marathon
is
an
international
event.
It
attracts
thousands
upon
thousands
of
runners
and
visitors
and
spectators
each
year
again
this
year,
we're
expecting
you
know.
D
D
This
weekend,
starting
friday,
it's
going
to
be
extremely
busy
down
in
the
copley
square
area.
Boylston
street
area
fan
fest
starts
on
friday.
It
runs
through
sunday
on
saturday
we
have
the
5k
race,
the
one
mile
race
and
also
the
children's
race,
we'll
have
runners
down
there
getting
getting
their
numbers.
Taking
pictures
there'll
still
be
a
lot
of
activity
down
there.
Anyone
down
in
that
area
from
friday
through
sunday
can
expect
a
visible
police
presence
in
the
area
of
copley
square
in
boylston
street.
D
D
People
coming
through
these
checkpoints
can
expect
to
have
their
bags
searched
when
they
come
through
there.
I
just
would
ask
people
to
exercise
patients
when
they
come
through
those
lines
and
try
to
understand
what
we're
trying
to
accomplish
at
those
security
checkpoints.
I
will
also
make
note
in
the
past,
depending
on
the
size
of
the
crowd,
the
time
to
time
we've
had
a
shutdown
temporarily
shut
down
some
of
those
checkpoints
in
order
for
the
crowd
to
dissipate.
D
That
could
happen
on
monday
also,
but
you
know,
typically,
those
are
temporary
closings.
You
know
the
red
sox
are
also
in
town
on
monday,
which
again
it
all.
Throughout
the
weekend,
we
should
add
to
the
crowd
that
we
have
down
there.
I
would
recommend
anyone
coming
down
to
the
marathon
marathon
or
the
boston
red
sox
game.
I
would
encourage
taking
public
transportation
with
all
the
street
closing
down
there.
D
Parking
will
be
limited
and
it's
probably
your
best
bet
for
easy
access
in
and
out
in
and
out
of
the
area.
You
know
in
terms
of
the
marathon
itself,
there
is
no
known
credible
threat
to
the
marathon,
like
everybody
else,
we're
monitoring
the
situation,
new
york,
our
thoughts
and
prayers
go
out
to
the
families
and
the
victims
in
new
york.
We've
been
in
contact
with
our
counterparts
in
new
york.
D
In
addition,
I've
spoken
to
joe
bonavalanta
from
the
fbi,
colonel
mason,
from
the
state
police
and
chief
green
from
the
mbta,
we're
monitoring
the
situation
in
the
short
term.
You
can
expect
to
see
an
increased
police
presence
around
mbta
stations
next
couple
days
to
the
weekend
in
terms
of
monday,
depending
on
what
kind
of
information
we
have
in
intelligence,
we'll
adjust
our
assets
accordingly
around
the
marathon.
You
know
what
I
will
say
is:
we've
asked
people
every
year
for
a
long
time.
D
We're
asking
you
to
be
vigilant,
although
there's
no,
no
credible
threat,
we're
asking
anybody.
If
you
see
something
right,
no
matter
how
small
something
that
seems
not
right
or
something
out
of
the
ordinary
we're
urging
you,
we
encourage
you
to
call
9-1-1
or
if
you
see
a
police
officer
along
the
route
approach
him
or
her
and
give
them
that
information
your
eyes
and
ears.
We
appreciate
your
vigilance.
D
E
E
You
know,
as
the
mbta
close
as
we
monitor
the
events
in
new
york,
transit
police
officials
are
engaged
with
our
local
federal
and
state
law
enforcement
partners
to
share
any
information
or
intelligence
that
is
available
at
this
time.
As
superintendent
chief
greg
long
has
stated,
there
is
no
evidence
credible,
otherwise
to
suggest
that
the
mbta
system
is
a
potential
target.
E
The
transit
police
employ
a
multi-laid
approach
to
safeguarding
the
mbta
system.
To
reassure
our
riders,
we
have
increased
the
number
of
uniform
officers
on
the
system
and
deployed
additional
explosive
detection,
k-9
teams
to
perform
protective
sweeps.
There
are
also
actions
that
we
employ.
That
will
not
be
too
too
visible
to
to
our
right
and
public
and
just
know
the
safety
and
security
of
our
customers.
Employees
is
the
mbta's
top
priority.
If
writers
of
the
t
seize
anything
out
of
ordinary,
they
are
urged
to
contact,
transit,
police
or
mbta
personnel.
E
If
you
choose,
the
text
goes
to
a
monitor
that
is
monitored,
24
7.,
you
will
receive
a
reply
and
we
will
immediately
send
officers
to
investigate
but
know
this
that
the
public
you,
the
public,
is
the
best
resource
that
law
enforcement
has.
So
now
I'm
going
to
pivot
into
our
plans
for
marathon
monday.
E
I
want
to
first
remind
our
ride
in
public,
including
those
who
are
fully
vaccinated
are
required
to
wear
face
coverings,
while
on
mbta
vehicles
and
at
indoor
stations
facilities,
bus
stops
and
platforms
for
the
commuter
rail,
subway
and
trolley
systems.
The
wearing
of
a
mast
is
for
your
safety
safety
of
fellow
riders
and
for
the
safety
of
the
front
front-line
mbta
workers
regarding
transportation
on
marathon
monday
copley
station
as
usual,
will
be
closed
all
day
and
from
10
a.m,
to
6
p.m.
E
The
transfer
police
are
well
prepared
for
this
year's
events,
we'll
have
additional
transit
police
officers,
both
uniformed
and
in
plain
clothes
throughout
the
amputated
system
to
ensure
everyone
has
a
safe
and
efficient
travel.
As
I
already
stated,
there
is
no
intelligence,
credible,
otherwise
to
suggest
the
mbta
and
or
the
marathon
itself
is
a
target
with
that
being
said,
we
will
continue
to
be
in
constant
communication
with
our
local
state
and
federal
law
enforcement
partners
throughout
the
day,
I'm
confident
in
our
training
and,
more
importantly,
in
our
collective
experience
for
large-scale
events
like
the
boston
marathon.
E
F
Thank
you
mayor
good
afternoon.
Everyone
try
to
make
it
quick,
the
men
and
women
of
boston
ems
really
look
forward
to
this
event.
Every
year,
it's
usually
one
of
the
first
signs
of
spring,
with
all
due
respect
to
the
red
sox
coming
back
to
boston,
but
it
is
a
great
family
event.
It's
it
is
a
holiday.
It's,
it
is
a
boston
holiday,
not
just
a
holiday
in
the
commonwealth.
F
We
do
have
comprehensive,
multi-layered
plans
to
protect
the
health
and
the
safety
of
everybody
who
could
be
attending
this
event,
who's
participating
in
it
who
works
near
it
or
those
who,
frankly,
could
care
less
about
it
because
they
just
live
or
work
in
the
area.
We
have
responsibilities
to
protect
everybody
and
to
make
sure
we're
here
to
to
provide
emergency
medical
care.
We
do
that
with
that.
F
As
I
said,
a
multi-layered
plan
over
the
weekend
with
the
street
closures
with
the
events
on
saturday
will
enhance
coverage
in
the
back
bay
for
for
that
for
the
participants,
spectators
and
residents,
we
will
have
emts
and
paramedics
on
that
on
on
bicycles,
we'll
have
them
on
gators
john
deere
gators.
So
we
can
get
in
and
out
of
streets
that
may
be
blocked
off,
so
we
can
extract
people
to
get
them
out
to
ambulances.
F
We'll
have
additional
ambulances
on
there's
a
very
comprehensive
medical
plan
done
with
medical
volunteers,
with
physicians,
with
nurses
along
the
entire
route,
not
just
in
boston
with
one
of
the
main
purposes.
There
is
that
we
can
turn
around
a
lot
of
cases
that
might
normally
have
to
go
to
an
emergency
room.
They
can
be
treated
at
site
in
these
main
medical
tents
down
in
the
finish
area
and
discharged
from
there.
F
That
way,
we
can
keep
the
hospitals
free
from
having
to
attend
to
these
personnel,
and
that
means
that
the
emergency
rooms
will
be
free
to
handle
all
the
other
calls
from
not
just
boston's
neighborhoods
but
from
the
region
to
come
to
boston's
hospitals
every
day.
So
we
know
we
have
responsibility
for
that,
so
we
will
have
additional
ambulances
on
for
the
neighborhoods
and
all
the
way
from
the
lot
from
newton
on
in
so
that
we
can
address
either
side
of
the
route
in
brighton
everywhere,
because
we
know
that
it's
it's
patriots
day.
F
It's
marathon
day
wide,
not
just
in
the
back
bay
and
south
end,
so
I
just
want
to
really
encourage
you
folks
to
come
out
enjoy
it
have
a
good
day.
We've
learned
a
lot
over
the
years
dealing
with
this
event
for
the
medical
emergencies,
whether
it's
extreme
heat,
extreme
cold,
and
you
know
we
will
be
prepared
for
any
eventuality,
but
also
we
were
prepared
at
a
moment's
notice
back
in
2013.
F
G
Many
of
these
closures
are
there
to
accommodate
the
both
the
5k
race-
that's
happening
as
well
as
the
the
marathon
itself,
so
we
ask
that
anybody
may
be
considering
driving
downtown
and
in
the
back
bay
over
the
next
week
to
pay
close
attention
to
posted
signs,
read
the
message
boards
that
will
be
up.
You
can
also
go
to
boston.gov
marathon,
where
you
can
find
a
map
of
all
the
street
closures,
all
of
the
parking
restrictions
and
additional
details
about
the
transportation
impacts.
G
G
The
mbta
will
be
running
additional
service
on
monday
and
will
be
offering
a
special
all-day
all-zone
commuter
rail
pass
on
marathon
monday.
You
can
find
all
the
details
of
this
at
mbta.com
marathon.
The
city's
blue
bike
system
will
also
be
operational.
This
weekend,
several
stations
along
the
marathon
route
will
be
removed
to
make
space
for
for
runners
and
for
crowds,
but
we
will
be
operating
two
valet
stations.
Four
blue
bikes
riders
one
at
back
bay
and
one
in
the
fenway,
which
will
make
it
easier
for
people
to
get
and
drop
off
bikes.
G
H
Thank
you
mayor.
As
with
every
major
event,
the
boston
fire
department
works
with
all
the
other
agencies,
police
ems,
and
we
prepared
an
incident
action
plan
that
we're
willing
to
implement
ready
to
implement.
We
have
plenty
of
resources
out
there
to
cover
any
anything
that
can
happen
so
we're
hopeful
and
looking
forward
to
a
great
event
monday
and
and
this
whole
weekend.
That's
all
I
am
thank
you.
I
Thank
you
mayor.
Thank
you
for
your
steadfast
and
courageous
lady
ship.
We
greatly
appreciate
it
and
I
joined
the
mayor
and
my
colleagues
up
here
in
front
in
recognizing
our
new
york
city
and
all
that
they're
dealing
with
at
this
time.
The
emergency
operations
center
will
be
operational
during
the
marathon.
We
will
be
available
for
enhanced
coordination
across
city
departments,
as
well
as
with
our
federal
state
and
private
partners
to
include
the
baa.
I
So
again,
I
join
all
of
my
colleagues
on
stage
and
recognizing
that
this
is
a
family
event.
We
wish
all
of
our
runners
the
very
best
we
look
forward
to
them
being
safe,
as
well
as
all
of
the
runners
spectators,
as
well
as
families
coming
down
to
the
event,
so
we
will
be
available
to
assist
in
coordination
and
we
look
forward
to
a
fun-filled
and
uneventful
day.
Thank
you
very
much.
D
Yeah
again,
like
you
know,
I
I
mentioned
you
know,
we
do
have
a
full
department
call
up,
so
we
have
a
a
ton
of
assets.
I
I
can't
really
get
into
the
you
know,
particulars
of
where
we'll
deploy
people.
What
I
would
say
is
again,
you
know
everything
is,
is
you
know
intelligent,
driven,
intelligence,
driven
and
again
depending
you
know,
if
there's
information
that
points
to
you
know
there
might
be
an
issue,
you
know
one
place
first,
another,
that's
what
we
would
adjust
and
move
our
assets
too.
K
D
I
mean
again,
you
know
again,
I
think
those
are
all
like
incident
specific.
You
know.
I
think
people
have
a
keen
understanding
of
what
kind
of
behavior
is
normal.
What's
not
what's
what's
a
little
bit
off
again,
I
I
think
you
know.
If
people
see
behavior,
you
know
you
see
someone,
you
know
whether
it's
dressed
in
a
uniform
has
you
know
a
vest
on
that.
You
know
you
think,
might
be
a
worker,
but
they're
acting
a
little
bit
odd,
a
little
bit
suspicious
a
little
bit
out
of
the
norm.
D
E
L
E
E
E
I
certainly
would
hope
not
you
know.
Let
me
tell
you
safe
we're
out
there
we'll
have
for
full
compliment.
The
uniform
officers
increased,
uniform,
we'll
have
our
canines
out
there
we'll
have
our
explosive
detective
units.
We
have
our
plain
clothes
officers
out
there,
so
we're
gonna
be
out
there
in
full.
E
Well,
we're
looking
for
the
exact
intel
that
comes
out
of
there,
so
we
can
so
we
can
put
our
defensive
postures
in
place
as
of
right.
Now
we
don't
have
all
that
it's
still
fluid,
so
we
can
do
the
increased
coverage
with
the
special
operations
and
uniform
officers
and
whatnot.
You
know,
as
far
as
putting
anything
else
in
play,
we're
going
to
wait
until
we
get
more.
E
Well,
one
of
the
biggest
things
that
came
out
of
the
marathon
bombing
for
the
transit
police
is
establishment
of
our
edu
unit
explosive
detective
unit
and
in
our
canine
units.
We
have
them
out
there
every
day
in
and
day
night
day
in
and
day
out,
to
ensure
that
the
safety
of
our
public
is
is
being
done.
Yeah
they're
at
the
major,
especially
at
our
major
hubs
like
south
station
north
station
and
basically
really
in
any
station,
just
to
ensure
that
you
know
unattended
bags
or
left
bags
or
sniffed
out.
A
I
rode
the
tea
this
morning.
It
was
smooth
and
great.
As
always,
I
got
to
ride
in
one
of
the
new
orange
line.
Trains,
I'm
very
excited
that
those
are
up
and
running
and
so
continue
to
urge
everyone
to
use
our
public
transit
system,
knowing
that
there
is
a
whole
lot
of
information
gathering
coordination
and
very
careful
monitoring.
That's
happening
day
in
and
day
out,
not
just
after
major
incidents.
A
I
had
the
chance
also
to
sit
with
our
boston
police
weeks
ago,
as
they
were
already
months
into
their
planning.
For
this
event,
this
year
marks
nine
years
since
2013,
and
each
and
every
one
of
those
years
has
been
well
with
the
exception
of
our
virtual
year
has
been
even
then
has
been
a
very
carefully
coordinated,
large-scale
event.
The
amount
of
staffing
of
planning,
of
inter-agency
communication
that
goes
into
this.
A
D
Yeah,
which
we
still
utilize,
I
neglected
to
mention
that
you
will
see
those
blocking
vehicles
again
on
marathon
monday.
You
know
we
obviously
saw
that
in
the
saint
patrick's
day
parade
to
answer
your
question.
You
know
that
information
is
real
time.
I
mean,
like
you
know,
when
this
happened:
we're
communicating
with
our
partners
down
new
york,
so
any
intelligence
that
we
think
you
know
that
that
could
possibly
affect
us
like.
I
said
we
get
it
in
real
time.
A
A
Really
our
best
leading
indicator
is
the
waste
water
data
and
we've
seen
a
pretty
big
increase
over
100
percent
increase
from
today
compared
to
two
weeks
ago,
and
so
we
know
that
there's
continued
transmission
out
in
the
community.
The
largest
chunk
of
this
increase
has
been
from
people
between
the
ages
of
20
and
40,
and
so
we
do
see
that
more
folks
are
coming
out
and
enjoying
and
having
events.
We
just
urge
everyone
if
you're
not
feeling
well,
please
find
a
test.
A
You
can
come
to
one
of
our
city's
free
walk-in
testing
sites
or
access
rapid
tests
at
home.
Wear
your
mask.
If
you
are
at
all
concerned
or
if
you
personally
are
at
higher
risk-
and
we
just
want
everyone
to
be
vigilant-
we're
not
there
yet
in
terms
of
the
multi,
the
sort
of
multi-layered
metrics
that
we're
watching
to
be
to
move
back
into
a
masking
mandate.
But
we
do
want
to
just
note
that
the
numbers
have
been
on
a
little
bit
of
an
uptick
and
so
we're
watching
that
very
carefully.
L
A
Even
outdoors,
when
many
many
people
are
crowded
together,
it
is
a
situation
where
we
want
everyone
just
to
be
aware,
and
so,
if
you
are
able
to
take
a
test
before
you
attend,
especially
if
you're
going
to
a
party
or
more
crowded
situation
or
an
indoor
event
that
always
helps
and
just
again
for
everyone
to
remember
that,
there's
still
transmission
out
in
the
community.
We're
not
all
the
way
past
covid
to
be
aware-
and
we
are
doing
everything
on
our
end-
to
monitor
all
the
data
very
carefully
as
well.
A
The
boston
public
health
commission
is
looking
at
not
only
wastewater
data
but
also
community
positivity,
as
mentioned
and
hospitalization
rates
and
the
increase
in
new
hospitalization.
So
we're
not
there
yet
on
those
metrics
and
we're
just
watching
the
numbers
there
there
have
been
fluctuations
up
and
down.
So
we
want
to
just
see
where
this
is
going
and
make
sure
that
it's
it's
not
headed
on
a
continued
upwards
trend.
A
It's
all
relative.
We
are
not
there
yet
in
terms
of
the
hospitalization
numbers
and
and
the
impact
that
we're
seeing
on
the
community.
The
ba2
variant
is
very
much
dominant
among
the
cases
here
in
massachusetts
and
in
boston,
and
so,
as
new
variants
continue
to
evolve.
We
do
just
need
to
keep
reminding
everyone
that
we
have
to
be
aware
to
get
vaccinated
and
boosted
access
our
testing
sites
and
just
have
that
in
your
mind,
as
we
are
coming
back
into
more
in-person
gatherings
and
more
in-person
events.
C
In
terms
of
what
happened
in
new
york
or
any
risk
of
of
any
kind,
we
are
the
grateful
beneficiaries
we
at
the
baa
and
all
involved
in
the
marathon
of
the
work
of
all
the
agencies.
You
see
represented
here
and
many
others
so
concerned
not
concerned
in
any
unusual
way,
alert
vigilant
in
every
possible
way.
But
knowing
that
that
vigilance
is
in
the
hands
of
all
the
right
people,
we're
very
comfortable
to
proceed.