Plan to keep Statehouse open on New Year's called foolish
By Associated Press, 12/29/99
BOSTON -- Gov. Paul Cellucci's plan to keep the Statehouse open to visitors up until midnight on New Year's Eve is being call foolish by a criminal law professor.
"It's absolutely outrageously risky, and that's not the role of government," said Harvey Kushner, who heads the criminal justice department at Long Island University.
"In this day and age," he said, "anything is fair game (for terrorists). Oftentimes it's just that one crazed individual. That's the real danger."
The 12-hour celebration at the Statehouse is sponsored by the Metropolitan District Commission and kicks off at noon Friday.
Cellucci will start the 12-hour digital countdown clock before historically costumed characters lead tours through the Capitol's second-floor.
Cellucci will return home to Hudson around 5 p.m., but not before ringing the bell on the Statehouse steps and presiding over a cannon salute.
The Statehouse usually closes at 6 p.m., but on Friday night, the MDC will keep the second floor open so visitors can tour a number of exhibits and sign a special guest book.
"That's obviously foolish," Kushner told the Boston Herald. He said the threat isn't necessarily from terrorists. "It can be targeted by any number of local crazies. It's almost ... like saying I double-dare you. You have to expect the unexpected. This is Murphy's Law gone wild."
But the head of the Center for Millennial Studies at Boston University said the Statehouse event was no more risky than any other public celebration.
"All across America you have risks," said David Kessler. "A terrorist can strike anywhere. I think it's a wonderful gesture on New Year's Eve allowing citizens to look around and sign a book. But I hope this gesture is being matched by proper security measures"
A spokesman for the governor said state officials are "appropriately concerned," and Georgia Gibbons of the MDC said there will be more park rangers assigned to the Statehouse and a "state police presence" will be evident.
