U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge (second from right) and Boston Mayor Tom Menino (right) watch as the Massachusetts Police demonstrate its bomb disposal robot on July 14, 2004, at the Multi Agency Command Center in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo: © Chitose Suzuki/AFP/Getty Images)

July 2004—This year's presidential election will be the first since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. With so many political leaders gathering in New York and Boston for this summer's conventions, security officials are already working around the clock to keep them safe.

New York City and Boston will spend more than $50 million apiece to keep the Republican and Democratic conventions danger-free. That cost includes overtime and special training for police officers and firefighters, new bus and train routes, and high-tech equipment to watch for suspicious activity.

Cops and Cameras

At the end of June, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg unveiled his plan to guard Madison Square Garden, the arena in the heart of Manhattan where the Republican convention will be held. New Yorkers without credentials won't be able to get within blocks of it. Traffic will be shut down for a half-mile around the area. Subway riders will have to take a detour on their way out of the nearest station. Cameras will scan the bottoms of cars, and police officers will inspect trucks and vans.

"The disruptions will be a little bit annoying, but minimal," said an optimistic Mayor Bloomberg. "There's no reason for businesses to close down."

In Boston, residents are being urged to keep away from the downtown area altogether. If Bostonians must walk near the Fleet Center, where the Democrats will gather, officials suggest that they not carry backpacks or briefcases.

Boston organizers spent their security money in creative ways. The Boston Police Department recently set sail a new 57-foot harbor boat equipped with underwater cameras. Specialists from Northern Ireland will train police officers in crowd control; a squad from Israel will discuss anti-suicide terrorism tactics. And the largest-ever collection of bomb-sniffing dogs will patrol the streets of both cities.

Anti-Terror Tactics

Last March, terrorists bombed trains in Madrid, Spain, right before the national presidential election. U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge is concerned that al-Qaeda, the terrorist group behind the attacks of 9/11, wants to repeat the performance.

The Office of Homeland Security has been collecting information about possible terrorist activity and passing them along to both cities.

"Every day we strengthen the security of our nation," said Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge.