This idiot, who I would like to remain nameless in my article, made headlines Tuesday evening after leaving a fake bomb near the marathon’s finish line. His backpack filled with a rice-cooker holding confetti wasn’t a stunt found humorous by anyone. He’s currently behind bars. But the fact something so scary — even though later to be found benign — could happen so easily is sure to raise some eyebrows. After all, how safe can you really make a marathon, a 26.2 mile course that goes through eight towns? Is it possible to keep an eye on every single spectator?
The Boston Athletic Association, which organizers the marathon, said while backpacks and handbags are prohibited for participants, spectators are also encouraged to leave such items at home.
Containers with more than 1 liter of liquid, costumes covering the face, and bulky clothes such as vests with pockets won’t be allowed.
And large flags or signs bigger than 11 inches x 17 inches are also banned from marathon venues. Marathon venues include the start and finish areas, the course, athletes’ village and areas where official events are held.
Unregistered runners and cyclists intending jump into the race along various points aren’t welcome this year, either.
“We are aware that many people want to participate in some way in this year’s Boston Marathon as a display of support,” the BAA said in a statement. “But we ask that those who are not official participants to refrain from entering the course for the safety of the runners and themselves.”
Keeping that in mind, police will double the number of officers on patrol from last year; 3,500 of them will be among the crowd. They will be aided by 100 additional security cameras, and bomb-sniffing dogs.
“In this world, you never eliminate risk; you never bring it down to zero,” State Police Col. Timothy Alben told reporters last month. “But we are working very hard at reducing that risk level and managing it to the best of our collective abilities.”
Although we lose a little bit of freedom and sense of safety every time a terror attack occurs on our soil, it’s clear those involved are taking every precaution imaginable in order to avoid anything like this ever happening again:
Josh Helmuth is the editor of CraveOnline Sports. @JHelmuth – “Like” on Facebook.
Photo Credit: Getty
