In Boston, Homeland Security Chief Repeats Terror Warnings

Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge on Wednesday visited the arena where the Democratic National Convention will begin in less than two weeks, and repeated warnings that “Al Qaeda is moving forward with plans to carry out a large-scale attack in the United States aimed to disrupt our democratic process.”

However, he emphasized, “to date, we have no specific intelligence that tells us the convention itself will be subject to attack.”

The secretary made his pronouncements while standing on a pier at the historic Charlestown Navy Yard. Directly behind him, on the opposite side of the Charles River, was the Fleet Center, where convention delegates would assemble July 26. Beside him was the Constitution, America’s oldest warship and a major tourist attraction. While he spoke, police and Coast Guard boats hovered nearby.

“We -- the local, state and federal government -- want to make sure that we are as prepared as possible to thwart terrorists and protect the convention,” Ridge said, promising “24/7 surveillance” of the convention site.

Escorted by Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino, Ridge attended a 90-minute security briefing at the Fleet Center. He inspected a convoy of mobile communications vehicles that would operate at the arena, and was shown 75 wireless cameras that federal agents would train on important sites in Boston -- including downtown streets and Logan International Airport. The cameras can record facial features, as well as license plate numbers.

“You’ve got some pretty nice technology here,” Ridge said.

The secretary would not disclose the size of the convention security force, nor would he put a price tag on the precautions. He said safety measures at the convention probably would exceed those at the Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City in 2002.

The Fleet Center -- home to Boston’s professional hockey and basketball teams -- sits directly in front of the region’s busiest interstate highway. The facility is in a densely populated urban neighborhood, a few blocks from the state Capitol. It is equally close to Massachusetts General Hospital, one of the city’s largest employers.

Asked about the vulnerability of the Fleet Center, Ridge replied: “Our job is to reduce vulnerability.”

As one example of how the arena will be protected, Ridge said, “We will have patrols in the harbor and surrounding waters, providing blanket security coverage that will trap any terrorists attempting to swim to shore or smuggle weaponry over these waterways.”

Ridge also attempted to allay concerns of residents who feared the convention would paralyze Boston -- a city known for miserable traffic congestion. Interstate 93, the highway that runs outside the Fleet Center, will be closed from 4 p.m. to 1 a.m. daily during the convention.

Under restrictions announced earlier this week, two of the interstate’s six lanes would be closed while the highway is open.

All passengers carrying packages on public buses, trains and subways will be subject to inspection during the convention. And the subway and commuter train station in the Fleet Center itself will be closed throughout the gathering.

“I would say this to the citizens of Boston,” Ridge said: “We understand that associated with the security that we feel is essential, there is going to be some inconvenience.”