Braving sizzling heat and tightened security, people have begun to arrive on the Esplanade to stake their claim on a patch of turf for the Fourth of July festivities tonight.
The area in front of the Hatch Shell was about half-filled late this morning with dozens of enthusiastic revelers sheltering from the sun under umbrellas and canopies. Many are wearing red, white, and blue in honor of the occasion.
With temperatures in the mid-90s and humidity making it feel like more than 100, the Massachusetts State Police urged people to hydrate and plan for the heat.
Security has been tightened in the wake of the April 15 terrorist bombings at the Boston Marathon finish line.
“We had a good plan for many years here,†State Police Colonel Timothy Alben told reporters Wednesday. “This year, we’ve gone way beyond that.â€
Alben said hundreds more troopers, federal officials, and police officers from local departments will be patrolling the area all day today. Alben also said there will be “an exponentially larger amount of cameras than ever before.†The wireless surveillance cameras are already set up on telephone poles and trees. Most of them are meant to be visible so they can act as a deterrent, he said.
People are urged to approach troopers with any tips or if they want to provide information anonymously, they may text the keyword Boston4 to 67283.
