Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Police Department
301 Vassar Street
Cambridge, MA  02139
617-253-1212

TO:             	MIT Community
FROM:       	The MIT Police Department
DATE:		June 25, 2012
RE:            	4th of July - Safety Precaution

        	This year's traditional fireworks celebration on the Esplanade will be held Wednesday night, July 4th, 2012.  It is said that approximately 500,000 people fill the banks of the Esplanade along the Charles River in Boston, and approximately 200,000 in the Cambridge area for this 39-year tradition that offers a free concert. Worth noting, approximately one-third of the concert’s attendees are tourists from outside New England, who come to celebrate and enjoy Boston as a summer destination.  With this information we seek your cooperation with the following:

1)     	In an effort to reduce thefts and increase safety, please secure all office doors, and accessible windows.  This will help to reduce the chances of outsiders wandering into MIT buildings. Outsiders may try to gain access due to the excellent view of the fireworks, convenience of bathrooms or the opportunity to steal unlocked and unattended items – laptop computers, digital cameras or the typical wallets and cash. 

2)     	Massachusetts General Law, Ch. 148 S. 39 - the simple possession or use of fireworks, or the selling or offering for sale of fireworks is against the law.  A violation of this law shall be punished by a fine of not less than one hundred dollars nor more than one thousand dollars or by imprisonment for not more than one year or both. Please also be advised that the throwing or shooting of fireworks off the rooftops is strictly prohibited. This practice may result in serious injuries to people and property below, and rooftop fires.

3)	REMEMBER: MIT policy expressly prohibits anyone from accessing any area they do not have permission to access, either through policy or express permission by the proper authority. While most of those areas will have posted prohibitions, or will be secured against access, this policy also covers academic rooftops. Other prohibited areas include: dorms in which you do not reside, and areas which may be accessed by others but for which you do not have proper authority to access. Violation of this policy will result in referral to the Office of Student Citizenship, the Committee on Discipline, and/or arrest for trespassing and other related charges. 

        Our best wishes for a Happy and Safe Fourth of July.  We sincerely appreciate your cooperation on this festive occasion.

http://www.july4th.org/

Issued by: Sgt. Cheryl Vossmer              

From MIT Parking:

For those planning to come to MIT to view the fireworks on the Fourth of July, please be aware of the following:

•	Complete event information can be found on the Boston Fourth of July web site:  http://www.july4th.org/

•	We recommend using the MBTA which will provide extra service on the Fourth of July and a free ride to the public after the July 4th concert.

•	The Hayward Lot and the E51 Lot are reserved for emergency response services on July 4th.  There will be no parking allowed in the E51 and Hayward lots.

•	As Usual, Evening Parking will be in effect in all gated facilities on campus.

CAMBRIDGE ROAD INFORMATION – JULY 4TH

12:01 AM
•	No parking on Memorial Drive between Mass Ave and the Longfellow Bridge. (vehicles will be towed)

4:30 PM
•	Memorial Drive in both directions from Mass. Ave. to the Longfellow Bridge closed.
•	Main Street, from Third Street to the Longfellow Bridge closed.
•	Ames Street from Main Street to Memorial Drive closed.
•	Wadsworth and Amherst Streets, closed.
•	Hayward, Carlton, Charlotte’s Way and Dock Street closed.
•	Longfellow Bridge closed in both directions. 

6:00 PM
•	Memorial Drive from Mass. Ave to the BU Bridge closed.
•	Mass Ave Bridge closed in both directions from Beacon Street in Boston to Vassar Street in Cambridge.
•	Vassar Street, from Mass. Ave to Memorial Drive, access for residents only.

Larry Brutti
Operations Manager
MIT Parking & Transportation Office

T: 617-253-5142
E: lrbrutti@mit.edu
web.mit.edu/parking
twitter.com/mitcommuter