June 3- 9, 2004

political notebook

Conventional Security

by Mary F. Patel

The nation has been receiving a steady stream of missives lately from Washington, D.C., about possible terrorist attacks during this summer's political conventions.

At a recent news conference from the Justice Department, Attorney General John Ashcroft indicated that the U.S. has "credible intelligence from multiple sources" that al-Qaeda is determined to attack in the U.S. in the very near future and that the conventions are potential targets. During his press conference, Ashcroft indicated that various al-Qaeda operatives remain at large, their whereabouts unknown.

The Democratic National Convention begins in Boston on July 26 and ends on July 30, when Democrats are expected to officially nominate U.S. Sen. John Kerry as the Democratic presidential nominee. This convention will be the first presidential convention since 9/11, and all eyes will be on Boston.

"We are planning for the worst," says Lt. Kevin Foley of the Boston police. "Our plan here is fluid and we are working closely with the Secret Service."

He describes the Boston police as an umbrella agency for overall security. An obvious focus of attention is the possibility of an attack on the Fleet Center, where the convention will be held.

"There is a main highway that runs under the Fleet Center, so there are concerns about that," explains Foley, noting that he was working with the Secret Service on transportation issues including protection of that particular highway.

Another potential weak spot being addressed is the possibility of someone putting radioactive gas in the ventilation system of the Fleet Center, the site of the convention. Foley says that concern is being addressed as well.

"Overall," he says, "we are confident of our security plan."

Five thousand delegates are expected to attend the convention in Boston, and more than 20,000 media types, not including bloggers, will take up space, too. Boston residents total 598,000. Daily commuters push the city's daily numbers to 1 million.

Political consultant Eleanor Dezzi is one of Kerry's Pennsylvania delegates.

"I have been to four presidential conventions," she says. "This convention will be just like the airport. Tighter security, long lines, have several pieces of identification ready. But I feel safer that way. At the Democratic convention in 1996 in Chicago, there were some concerns because of the riots in Chicago during the 1968 convention."

But, "Chicago was peaceful and pleasant during the 1996 convention," says Dezzi. "Los Angeles had much tighter security and several protests during the 2000 Democratic convention."

Michael Marsico, a co-chair of Liberty City Lesbian and Gay Democratic Club, says he is not at all concerned about convention security. The possibility of an al-Qaeda attack, he adds, is just a lot of hype from the Republicans.

"They'll say anything to get attention away from Iraq," said Marsico, who is attending the convention as a delegate at large for Kerry. "What can I do as a person? Be aware and have faith in the Boston police."

The Republican National Convention will be held in New York at Madison Square Garden from Aug. 30 to Sept. 2. There are more than 8 million people in New York City, so how will New Yorkers handle the convention?

"We are taking every precaution to ensure the safety of the delegates and New Yorkers," says Leonardo Alcivar, a spokesperson for the convention. He expressed no concerns about terrorist attacks.

"We are working with the Secret Service for a safe and secure convention, and for all the journalists, too," the native New Yorker adds. "New Yorkers are resilient. New York is the best example of survival in a changing environment and emerging threats. New York has so much to offer and after the convention is over, New Yorkers will go back to their lives."

One Democratic delegate who asked not to be named says she's glad she is not a Republican delegate because she figures that any terrorist threat would be against President George Bush because he instigated the war on Iraq.

The New York Police Department is not as forthcoming on information as the Boston police. "We do not discuss strategy," says a New York police press operative. The U.S. Secret Service did not return calls about security concerns by press time.

On the final night of the Republican convention, Bush will ask the 4,853 delegates to nominate him for re-election. His schedule of events that week is being kept under wraps.

Still, one Philadelphia Republican delegate is looking forward to the convention. She is even bringing her children, ages 6 and 12. Kelly Preski will be attending with her husband Brian, chief of staff to state House Speaker John Perzel.

"I'm very excited. It will be fabulous," says Kelly Preski. "I'm not really concerned, and I'm confident that security will be amazing."