Local law enforcement and transportation officials are taking different levels of precaution after today's deadly explosions near the finish line of the Boston Marathon.
And the city of Philadelphia is putting extra security measure in place for the Broad Street Run, which is coming up in three weeks.
"Runners and spectators will in fact see a much more visible security presence on race day for the Broad Street run to make sure our runners and spectators are safe," said Mayor Michael Nutter.
The race is expected to draw 40,000 runners on Sunday, May 5. Participants race ten miles from N. Broad to the sports complex in South Philadelphia.
Although there have been no specific threats in or against the city, Nutter said that overall, Philadelphia is on a heightened level of security. Flanked by Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey, Nutter said that safety measures, some seen and some unseen, are being put in place, including "monitoring activity at a variety of key and historic locations. Nutter said the heightened level of alert would remain in effect until investigators determined who was behind the explosions.
On the transportation side, major carriers are on a heightened alert status.
"Even though we are unaware to any connection to transit in the Boston area, we are still asking all of our operators to be extra vigilant," said SEPTA spokeswoman Jerri Williams. "Our transit police are taking a tighter patrol of the Center City area and stations. We are also asking our riders to keep an eye out for any suspicious packages while they ride on SEPTA."
Amtrak and NJ Transit are also asking crews to be vigilant and and report all suspicious activity.
"Service is operating as scheduled. Amtrak Police Department (APD) is stepping up patrols and conducting increased sweeps of stations and track right-of-ways," said Kimberly Woods, a spokewoman for Amtrak. Woods said Amtrak police are coordinating with local and national law enforcement to collect intetlligence. "APD is also reminding its riders that if they See Something, Say Something."
NJ Transit police "have deployed both uniformed and plain clothed officers to further patrol our sysatme and keep our customers safe," said spokesman John Durso, Jr.
At Philadelphia International Airport, flights are coming and going on a regular schedule and according to airport authorities, security measures have not been elevated for Transportation Security Administration (TSA) workers or for passengers going through security.
Philadelphia police are assessing the crisis in Boston and will deploy crews if necessary. Police Commissioner and Mayor Michael Nutter were expected to hold a joint news conference this evening to announce what measures, if any, are being taken by local police.
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The local office of the Federal Bureau of Investigations tells us there are no heightened security measures being taken in Philadelphia at this time. No one from the local office has been activated to assist at this point, but the bureau set up a call line for anyone who has information: 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324), prompt #3
We have confirmed that one member of Philadelphia's Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms is enroute to Boston. Steve Bartholomew will be assisting the team there. He says there is lots of work to be done to clear the scene before the investigation into what exploded can begin.
At the Federal Courthouse on 6th street, we have been told there are no additional precautions being taken.
