June 14, 2017 — The city is bracing for massive security at this weekend’s Tall Ships extravaganza, with the historic event given the feds’ highest terror alert — Super Bowl-level — amid heightened concerns over ISIS attacks.
Homeland Security officers are set to meet today to go over the security net being planned for Sail Boston 2017. An estimated 2 million people are expected to attend the harborfest that kicks off Friday.
The dire warning comes after a suicide bombing in Manchester, England, in May that killed 22 concertgoers followed by an ambush around London Bridge that left seven dead earlier this month.
Former Boston police Commissioner Edward F. Davis, who now runs a security firm that will be working the event, said the worry is warranted.
“My police contacts and public safety contacts are telling me this is a very serious event,” Davis said. “There will be a significant show of force out there, no question. Due to the world situation they’ll see a significant increase in security personnel.”
A Coast Guard spokeswoman confirmed that the event, which runs from Friday to next Thursday, received a Special Event Assessment Rating (SEAR) of 1 from the Department of Homeland Security, the rating indicating the most risk for an event.
Level 1 events require extensive federal coordination and have significant national or international importance, and have included presidential visits and party nominating conventions.
In comparison, annual high-security events like the Boston Marathon or the Fourth of July parade are designated SEAR 2, Boston Police Department spokesman Lt. Michael McCarthy said, adding that other recent SEAR 1 events included the United Nations Assembly and the Rose Bowl Parade and game.