As police union members plot demonstrations at a US Conference of Mayors event at the John F. Kennedy Library and Museum tonight, department officials have ordered additional officers to the scene and asked the Coast Guard to establish a special security zone in Boston Harbor near the museum.
The Boston Police Patrolmen's Association plans to picket on the ground outside the museum and has rented a 68-foot yacht to cruise near the building's huge waterfront windows during the event. Union members plan to stand on the boat with bullhorns and banners publicizing their dispute with Mayor Thomas M. Menino over contract negotiations.
Coast Guard officials said they refused the request to establish a security zone in the harbor. But Thomas Nee, president of the Patrolmen's Association, lashed out at the city, calling the request an abuse of national security measures.
"Police and fire are public safety servants exercising their First Amendment rights, not terrorists," Nee said. "It's outrageous and more of the same that we continue to be treated differently from other demonstrations."
The security measures follow escalating tensions between the city and the police union over contract talks. After a police-led picket line joined by firefighters and several other unions stalled preparations for the Democratic National Convention at the FleetCenter for three days this month, demonstrations at the mayors' conference have tarnished a chance for Menino to bask in the national spotlight.
Last night, while most mayors went to a reception at the Boston Public Library, at least three who arrived by bus turned around amid chants of "do not cross" from members of the police union. The mayors left without providing their names.
Senator Edward M. Kennedy canceled a keynote address at the last minute. He said he had to attend a hearing of the Senate Armed Services Committee that was rescheduled, but police union members said it was because the senator is on their side. Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee John F. Kerry is scheduled to speak Monday, but aides said yesterday that he is considering canceling over concern that he could alienate labor leaders.
Police spokeswoman Beverly Ford said that officers from the Drug Control and Youth Violence Strike Force units have been asked to provide additional security and crowd control at tonight's reception.
"We routinely use officers from those units, because they have special events training," Ford said. "Rest assured we'll have our ordinary levels of patrols throughout the city, including several plainclothes officers."
Ford declined to say how many additional officers have been called into work, but said the security measures and the appeal to the Coast Guard are standard responses to any event involving dignitaries.
"Harbor patrol [a division of the Boston Police Department] asked the Coast Guard to help with security, which is normal," Ford said.
But the Coast Guard's Brian Salerno, captain of the Port of Boston, called the Police Department's request for a security zone unusual. According to Salerno, the protesters' presence was one reason given by police for the request.
"A security zone is established in response to a national security type threat, and in this case there has been no threat established," Salerno said. "When we got into the details of why they were requesting it, we did not see any basis for us establishing a zone. They mentioned that there would be protesters.
"But our understanding is that the protest will be peaceful, and from a Coast Guard perspective it will not impede navigation," he said. "Provided the protesters are following federal safety laws, there is no basis for the Coast Guard to interfere with their activities."
Menino's press secretary, Seth Gitell, declined to comment on what he called "public safety matters."
"With regard to labor issues," he said, "Mayor Menino is focused on reaching agreements with all unions, as he has with 73 percent of the city's unionized workforce."