Boston Marathon Bombing: City Returns to Business After Tragedy

 

The day after two powerful bombs exploded near the finish line of the Boston Marathon, killing at least three and wounding at least 140 more, a mile-square area of downtown Boston is still blocked off as a crime scene. Police are continuing their investigation throughout the city, and the effects are being felt throughout the country.

The New York Times is reporting that officials in New York and Washington have stepped up security at important locations. Near the White House, the Secret Service blocked off Pennsylvania Avenue out of what one official described as “an abundance of caution.” In New York City, Times Square was filled with police cars in the hours following the blasts.

In Boston itself, police officials effectively closed a large part of the Back Bay neighborhood, which surrounds the blast site; some transit stops were closed; planes were briefly grounded at Boston Logan International Airport and the Boston Symphony Orchestra canceled its Monday night concert. A Boston Celtics game scheduled for Tuesday was also canceled.

Boston was bracing for a heightened law enforcement presence on Tuesday, with its transit riders subject to random checks of their backpacks and bags, and many streets in the center of the city likely to be closed to traffic as the investigation continues. Gov. Deval Patrick said on Monday night that “the city of Boston is open and will be open tomorrow, but it will not be business as usual.”

The authorities have not announced any arrests as yet, and no one has claimed responsibility for the crime so far.