People living in the Fenway neighborhood may hear alarming noises due to anti-terrorism exercises next Sunday.
Please see the notice below which we received from the the Red Sox:
Dear neighbors,
I’m writing to share the announcement below about a counterterrorism exercise by law enforcement agencies that will be held at Fenway Park this Sunday, June 12 from 7 am – 1 pm.
As the notice explains, fans and neighbors are asked to avoid the area and be aware that they may hear sounds of simulated explosions and realistic-sounding simulated gunshots during the exercise.
We’d ask and suggest that you please share this notice with others who work or live in the Fenway and Kenmore area (i.e., your tenants, neighbors, members of your local organization, employees, colleagues, etc.).
And as always, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me or Laura Martin.
Thanks very much for your attention as we work with our law enforcement partners to promote safety, security and preparedness for Fenway Park and the neighborhood.
Dave
David S. Friedman
Senior Vice President, Legal & Government Affairs
Boston Red Sox
Fenway Park, 4 Yawkey Way
Boston, MA 02215
(617) 226-6147
====================
For Immediate ReleaseJune 7, 2016
FENWAY PARK TO BE SITE OF BOSTON POLICE
AND DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURTY
COUNTERTERRORISM EXERCISE SUNDAY, JUNE 12
Simulations to Take Place Between 7 a.m. and 1 p.m.;
Parts of Yawkey Way and Van Ness Street to CloseBOSTON, MA – As part of a concentrated, ongoing partnership with law enforcement to work on safety, security, and preparedness, Fenway Park will be the site of a counterterrorism exercise conducted by the Boston Police Department, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and the U.S. Army Armament Research, Development, and Engineering Center (ARDEC) on Sunday, June 12, from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.
During the exercise, Boston Police, along with state and federal first responders, including members of Red Sox security, will react to various simulated scenarios meant to test preparedness and new technologies for large events in the City of Boston.
The city will close parts of Yawkey Way (Brookline Avenue to Boylston Street) and Van Ness Street (Ipswich Street to Richard B. Ross Way) during the exercise. Fans and neighbors are asked to avoid the area and be aware that they may hear sounds of simulated explosions and realistic-sounding simulated gunshots during the exercise.
“The opportunity to participate in an exercise that tests preparedness and cutting-edge technologies in real time is a big advantage for us,” said Red Sox Director of Security and Emergency Services Charlie Cellucci. “Fan safety is a topic we continually discuss and evaluate, and by participating in this exercise, led by Boston Police alongside state and federal agencies, we hope to gain valuable insight that may help enhance how we keep visitors safe at Fenway Park.”
–RED SOX–
I am quite concerned and dismayed that this notice: “FENWAY PARK TO BE SITE OF BOSTON POLICE AND DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURTY COUNTERTERRORISM EXERCISE SUNDAY, JUNE 12 Simulations to Take Place Between 7 a.m. and 1 p.m.; Parts of Yawkey Way and Van Ness Street to Close” is coming from a private enterprise and not my local or state government. I am please that that you, Senator Brownsberger has forwarded it the citizens.
Raises many, many questions on what is going on and who is in charge.
I completely agree and am very disturbed that nhd. groups were not involved or even notified of the planning for this exercise. It is another example of the thinking “no one lives nearby” that permeates the thinking around events planned at Fenway. It is a very heavily populated area with new people moving in every day. 911 is going to be flooded with calls. Notice Cellucci’s remarks only refer to fans, not neighbors.
I vehemently object to this being done in a built up area. Why? What are they exercising for? Is the military training to invade a city? The money we spend on terrorism is offensive and highly objectionable. The number of Americans who are killed by terrorists are minuscule. Yet we continue to accommodate this vileness and pretend there is something to be afraid of when it is actually our government that we need to be afraid of. Their senseless wars have killed millions. And to pander to these psychopaths is only enabling them further until, before long, you too will be suspect. Their paranoia knows no bounds. Please tell the military to take a hike. Let no one continue encouraging this madness.
During the Vietnam war the Michigan National Guard announced an “anti-riot control” demonstration in a park in Flint, MI. There had been no “riots” in Flint but several large anti-war demonstrations.
Some folks got together and decided to organize a huge family picnic in the park and announced it to the press. A week or so later the National Guard released a statement that the “riot control exercise” had been cancelled.
ANNOUNCE A HUGE FAMILY PICNIC IN THE FENWAY AREA WHERE THE EXERCISES ARE TO BE HELD!
There’s probably going to be a demonstration there anyhow.