San Francisco Police To Beef Up Security At Bay To Breakers
SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) – Bay to Breakers race organizers are expressing confidence in an updated safety plan for the annual footrace, having learned lessons from the Boston Marathon bombing last month.
With more than 30,000 participants expected, organizers said it's always a challenge to organize an event of this magnitude.
San Francisco Police Chief Greg Suhr said extra officers are just part of the plan for Sunday.
"There will be officers from all district stations helping out. Pretty much everybody in Special Operations will be working, whether it's a tactical team, small motorcycles or our horses," he said.
Suhr said the San Francisco Police Department bomb squad will be deployed along the racecourse, in case a quick response is needed. Police will also be monitoring video cameras at the start and finish lines as well as on Hayes Street Hill.
KCBS' Chris Filippi reports San Francisco Police plan to use video surveillance at key points along the route.
New Security Measures Rolled out for Bay to Breakers
Bay to Breakers Race Director Angela Fang said despite the focus on security, this will still be a fun event.
"It's who we are and how we behave on that day and I think everyone should come out and celebrate what this race really is about – bringing the city back together after the devastation of the earthquake," Fang said. "And it really shows the mettle of the people of this community."
Organizers are also asking people to keep their large backpacks at home this year and there is once again a ban on alcohol on the racecourse.
(Copyright 2013 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
