Hosting the Obamas during a month that features two big outdoor events under increasing terrorist threat levels is enough to give any police force the jitters.
Facing just that confluence of events on Martha’s Vineyard next week, Oak Bluffs police chief Erik Blake told the town selectmen he is planning to increase security for Grand Illumination Night and the town fireworks display.
Illumination Night, on Wednesday night, August 14, always attracts big crowds, and thousands show up for the fireworks, at 9 p.m. on Friday.
The chief said his department put together a public safety team and began building a security plan after the Boston Marathon bombing in April.
Then they had to factor in the presence of President and First Lady Obama, who will be vacationing here beginning Saturday, though he did not say they will attend the events.
Then came the Al Qaeda threat against Americans over the weekend.
All in all, things will be busy at the Vineyard next week.
