Post by onthejob on Apr 29, 2013 19:44:40 GMT -5
Long Island Marathon security tightened, says Mangano
April 29, 2013 by ELLEN YAN / ellen.yan@newsday.com
Radiation detectors, bag searches and other stepped-up security measures will be set up for the Long Island Marathon in Uniondale this weekend, the Nassau County executive announced Monday.
The event, which kicks off Friday and runs through Sunday and will be held at the Mitchel Athletic Complex and other nearby sites, will kick off more than three weeks after two bombs were set off at the Boston Marathon, killing three people and wounding more than 200.
County Executive Edward Mangano said a "large contingent" of uniformed officers will be on hand, along with police dogs that will sniff bags and packages for explosives. Officers from the Nassau police homeland security detail will have portable radiation detectors,
All bags will be inspected at the Sports and Fitness Expo on Friday and Saturday, while spectators will be barred from bringing bags onto the finish line area in Eisenhower Park, Mangano said.
Under the tighter security, only vehicles with event permits approved beforehand will be allowed into the staging areas.
Also at the baggage check, registered participants must use clear bags, provided by race officials at check-in areas. Only participants will be permitted on the marathon and 10k starting lines on Charles Lindbergh Boulevard Sunday.
Spectators will be barred from bringing bags onto the finish line at Eisenhower Park, Mangano said.
"Any bags or packages found on the ground will be discarded or destroyed," he said in a news release. "Participants should not stash personal items along the race route."
People should arrive early, officials said, because certain roads around the start and finish lines will be closed to enhance security.
"In light of the tragic events that occurred at the Boston Marathon earlier this month, we have put forth enhanced security measures for the safety of the Long Island Marathon participants, spectators and all members of our community," Mangano said in the release. "I would also like to remind residents of our See Something Say Something Campaign; if something or someone seems out of place, please call 911."
April 29, 2013 by ELLEN YAN / ellen.yan@newsday.com
Radiation detectors, bag searches and other stepped-up security measures will be set up for the Long Island Marathon in Uniondale this weekend, the Nassau County executive announced Monday.
The event, which kicks off Friday and runs through Sunday and will be held at the Mitchel Athletic Complex and other nearby sites, will kick off more than three weeks after two bombs were set off at the Boston Marathon, killing three people and wounding more than 200.
County Executive Edward Mangano said a "large contingent" of uniformed officers will be on hand, along with police dogs that will sniff bags and packages for explosives. Officers from the Nassau police homeland security detail will have portable radiation detectors,
All bags will be inspected at the Sports and Fitness Expo on Friday and Saturday, while spectators will be barred from bringing bags onto the finish line area in Eisenhower Park, Mangano said.
Under the tighter security, only vehicles with event permits approved beforehand will be allowed into the staging areas.
Also at the baggage check, registered participants must use clear bags, provided by race officials at check-in areas. Only participants will be permitted on the marathon and 10k starting lines on Charles Lindbergh Boulevard Sunday.
Spectators will be barred from bringing bags onto the finish line at Eisenhower Park, Mangano said.
"Any bags or packages found on the ground will be discarded or destroyed," he said in a news release. "Participants should not stash personal items along the race route."
People should arrive early, officials said, because certain roads around the start and finish lines will be closed to enhance security.
"In light of the tragic events that occurred at the Boston Marathon earlier this month, we have put forth enhanced security measures for the safety of the Long Island Marathon participants, spectators and all members of our community," Mangano said in the release. "I would also like to remind residents of our See Something Say Something Campaign; if something or someone seems out of place, please call 911."
