Boston mayor criticizes NYC security plans

BOSTON, Aug. 11 (UPI) -- Boston Mayor Thomas Menino said New York's refusal to emulate Boston's security measures for the Republican National Convention is a "recipe for disaster."

New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg joined civil-rights advocates in criticizing Boston's policy of enclosing protesters within a small "free-speech zone" during the Democratic National Convention in July, the Boston Herald reported.

"Boston put barbed wire around the FleetCenter. We're not doing that," Bloomberg said Monday. "This is a city that values its reputation as a place where people can come, congregate and say what they want."

Only five people were arrested during the Democrats' four-day convention, which attracted crowds of demonstrators that numbered in the hundreds. Tens of thousands of protesters are expected to turn out for the Republican convention, which begins Sept. 30.

"The way to run a smooth convention was demonstrated by Mayor Menino. Choosing to avoid the realities only spells trouble for other cities," said Menino spokesman Seth Gitell. "Once again, Mayor Bloomberg has demonstrated his need for a reality check. It's only now dawning on him the prospect of thousands of protesters swarming through the garment district in Manhattan."