World Cup host city Boston is preparing to welcome thousands of fans, including many from England and Scotland. ITV News US Correspondent Dan Rivers saw how police and SWAT teams are preparing for all eventualities
Additional reporting by Washington Producer Joshua Brooks
The US city of Boston is now in the final countdown for this summer’s FIFA World Cup, as the city prepares to welcome thousands of fans, including many from England and Scotland.
Security is a paramount concern in a city which contended with the Boston Marathon bombings 13 years ago.
The operation at Boston’s stadium, in the nearby town of Foxborough, will be overseen by local police, led by their Chief Michael Grace.
When I asked him about the perception of American law enforcement, after recent controversial incidents involving fatal shootings in Minneapolis during an Immigration and Custom Enforcement crackdown, he was robust in his defence of Boston’s policing.
He insisted its reputation was undiminished, telling me: “I would disagree 100 % that what you see in these protests is policing is in America, and that is not what they will expect when they arrive in fan-fest or even when they land at Logan airport.
“They’ll see police there being professional very approachable at all times.”
We were given exclusive access to their SWAT teams, as they trained at the stadium.
From hostage rescue to storming hostile vehicles, they must be prepared to respond to anything.
Many of those we watched being put through their paces, helped to respond to the terror attacks in 2013.
The shadow of that incident looms large over their training.
They will be among the first to respond, and this is one of their last chances to prepare.
All are armed with assault rifles and pistols.
They also have an armoured Bearcat vehicle, similar to a military MRAP personnel carrier at their disposal in case their need to storm a house or vehicle.
They are leaving nothing to chance this summer.
We watched as they practised storming the executive suites of the stadium, ensuring their communication is clear and their tactics are agreed.
They know the eyes of the world will be on them as the tournament gets underway, with five group stage matches, plus a group of 32 game and a quarter final.
Boston might be famous for its rich Irish heritage, but this summer it is the English and Scottish who will flood the Massachusetts city, with at least two Scotland games (against Haiti on 13th June and 6 days later against Morocco) and one England game (on 23 June against Ghana).
Preparations are already well under way, with an outdoor fan zone in the centre ready for the thousands of visitors.
However, the logistics for those travelling here for the matches will not be straightforward.
The stadium (normally called the Gillette Stadium where the New England Patriots American Football team play) is an hour away by car to the south.
Even on quiet days the traffic can be tricky, but during the tournament there are concerns the highway there will be jammed solid as almost 80,000 fans descend on the venue.
There is a train, but unlike at many previous World Cup events, here the public transport is not free.
Instead will cost $95 US dollars (about £70) for a return journey.
Mike Loynd FIFA’s local organising committee in Boston defended the charge.
“It’s well below the cost price, and so we’re comfortable with those prices, and the experience we are going to provide the fans,” he said.
Still it has raised eyebrows given the cost of match tickets will run into the hundreds or thousands of dollars.
One enterprising local businessman is offering a closer option, at his Haven Bar, the only Scottish themed pub in the city.
Jason Waddleton says 400 kegs of Scottish lager have been ordered for the city, 150 of which are destined for his venue.
Deep fried Mars bars will be on the Scottish themed menu as he prepares to welcome the Tartan Army.
The buzz is beginning to build across the city, even if many American’s are only dimly aware of the ‘soccer’ festival about to get underway in their midst.
A city which celebrates its Boston tea party rebellion, against British taxes levied in the name of King George III, is now ready to welcome back the English and Scottish.
However, it’s likely that beer, not tea, will be the preferred refreshment, as the fans cheer on their teams to get through the group stage and into the final stage of the World Cup.
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