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Officials vow holiday weekend will be festive — and secure
By Vivian Wang
Globe Correspondent

Against the grim backdrop of the terrorist attacks in Istanbul and Orlando, Governor Charlie Baker, Boston Police Commissioner William B. Evans, and State Police leaders expressed confidence Wednesday in security preparations for the annual July 4 celebration on the Esplanade.

During a press conference at the Hatch Shell, the officials outlined the extensive teamwork between local and federal agencies, including the FBI and Department of Homeland Security, that they say will ensure that one of the city’s signature public events is safe but still enjoyable.

“I think we’ve put together, as we always have, a comprehensive security plan to maximize safety . . . but at the same time to be as nonobtrusive as we can be to concertgoers and to others,’’ Baker said.

Officials said there is no known credible threat to the area heading into the holiday weekend. When asked whether recent attacks have changed security planning, Major Daniel Risteen of the State Police said no.

“I would say that the plan is so good that we factored that in,’’ he said. “If something were to happen today, I think we can be confident with the plan we have in place, we’d be able to pull off a good Fourth of July.’’

Risteen called the plan flexible but robust, able to account for both organized threats and those from so-called lone wolves who act without the official backing of terrorist organizations.

Various government agencies have been in communication since last August about the preparations, Risteen said.

Colonel Richard D. McKeon, superintendent of the State Police, said hundreds of uniformed troopers will be on duty, as will the State Police’s air and marine units and the National Guard.

And, he said, “there will be so many security measures and personnel you will not see, including plainclothes troopers mingling through the crowd.’’

Evans also reminded Bostonians that there will be a strong police presence in neighborhoods far from the Esplanade. Fourth of July weekend has historically brought an uptick in violence, he said, and police are working to prevent a similar surge this year.

“That’s traditionally a tough weekend for us, so we’ll have a lot of extra resources in the neighborhoods, too,’’ he said. “We’re not neglecting the neighborhoods.’’

Baker urged those who plan to attend the festivities, which will include headliners Demi Lovato and Nick Jonas, to study restrictions posted online on what they cannot bring to the event. They include:

¦ No coolers on wheels.

¦ No firearms, weapons, or sharp objects, including umbrellas.

¦ No backpacks.

¦ No alcohol, as well as no cans or glass containers.

¦ No bicycles will be allowed through the checkpoints into the Oval or Island/Lagoon areas. Bicycles are allowed throughout the rest of the venue but must not be left unattended.

More information is available at july4th.org.

Later Wednesday, Mayor Martin J. Walsh announced that the city had launched a “situational awareness’’ tool for the Fourth of July, which will allow public safety officials to track the city’s emergency resources, such as 911 calls or the deployments of police and fire officials.

Vivian Wang can be reached at vivian.wang@globe.com. Follow her on Twitter @vwang3.