Seattle Police on Boston bombing aftermath: You ‘may see an increased police presence’

In case you don’t regularly read SPD Blotter, we wanted to pass along this statement from Seattle Police regarding the aftermath of what’s happening in Boston:

Our thoughts are with the people of Boston, the athletes participating in the Boston Marathon and their families.

We have been in communication with the Mayor’s Office and the Office of Emergency Management. We haven’t received any information to indicate that there is a threat to Seattle. Still, we have begun taking reasonable precautions to protect our community. On-duty resources have been directed to increase their patrols in our neighborhoods and around our infrastructure. Seattle residents may see an increased police presence.

We are also asking for public support. Please report any suspicious activity to 911.

The Boston Marathon website says more than 500 participants were from Washington; if you know anyone who’s there, please let us know whether they’re OK. Our partners at The Seattle Times have talked with some people from the region who are in the area.

Philosurfy April 15, 2013 (2:47 pm)

If anyone was there and has video of the finish line, please submit it to the Boston PD. My heart is breaking for my home state.

smokeycretin9 April 15, 2013 (5:08 pm)

now, is everyone still afraid of the surveillance cameras? They might be the only hope in finding who is responsible for this horror.

Robert April 15, 2013 (5:20 pm)

People aren’t afraid of surveillance cameras, they just know that they aren’t the solution to these problems.

tchrtime April 15, 2013 (6:23 pm)

My heart goes out to everyone – those involved, including family, friends, emergency workers/first responders.

Amrakx April 16, 2013 (6:42 am)

More surveillance cameras are needed in “safe” areas.

citizen April 16, 2013 (11:36 am)

It would be judicious to wait for more information to be discovered before jumping to conclusions about what society “needs”.

a April 16, 2013 (11:55 am)

God forbid something like this happens here but if it does, the first thing everyone is going to say is check the cameras. This is the exact reason why the cameras are being installed here. Anti camera people stop being paranoid that big brother is trying to spy on you. Unfortunately, we live in a scary world and lots of people wish to do harm to us simply because we are American. These cameras are needed to document and help catch those that wish harm upon us so I welcome them. God bless the people in Boston and God bless this great country.

sarelly April 16, 2013 (1:31 pm)

Can’t even begin to describe how depressed I am by this event. I grew up in Boston, I know those streets, I know the neighborhood where this happened. The marathon is a public institution. Everyone comes out of their houses to watch it, for the entire length of the race. It’s like a parade or festival, people of all ages coming out to hand water and orange slices to the runners, cheer them on. People buy balloons for their kids, they make a day of it. Participants in the race span generations and levels of experience. There’s always a brigade who compete from wheelchairs, recumbent bikes driven by determined guys with big arms. It’s a significant, iconic community experience, an annual ritual. It used to bother me when people would react to something like this with paranoia and start checking for lost backpacks under every flight of stairs…but with all the crazy stuff that’s been happening around the country, the mass shootings and spontaneous rampages that make me wonder what is wrong with people these days or if it was always this nutty…vigilance seems like a good idea. That said, I wouldn’t expect camera installation to get much traction in Boston, an historically liberal city in one of the most liberal states in the country, even if people are afraid and angry. But right now, no one appears to know anything about why this particular incident happened, so I think it’s premature to assign any meaning to it beyond the recognition that it’s devastating.

William April 16, 2013 (6:04 pm)

The unfortunate tragedy in Boston renews my wish that we had more security cameras in public places to assist law enforcement. I’m very sorry that a vocal few here in West Seattle have stood in the way of the safety for the many of us that do not oppose security cameras. Jessh! Just listen to the news today and it is clear that the primary tool for investigating the bombing in Boston will be photos taken by cameras.

phil dirt April 17, 2013 (8:25 am)

Yes, let’s give big brother more opportunities to watch us! I will feel much safer when I know that the likes of a Janet Napolitano will be watching over me. In reality, surveillance cameras are a double edged sword that sets a bad precedence. Be careful what you wish for.