Police, Robots and All, Prep for Boston Pops’ Big July 4 Return

It takes a big effort to keep the Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular safe — and this July 4, that includes a bomb squad robot dog.

Roscoe, one of two robotic dogs now working for the Massachusetts State Police bomb squad, was being used at the Charles River Esplanade during safety preparations Friday.

Thousands of people are expected for the first fireworks show at the Hatch Shell since the start of the pandemic. But this year brings some changes from how the show was held before 2019.

Authorities discussed security plans for Boston's fireworks show at the Esplanade as travelers hit the roads and airports.

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The area will be closed to the public on July 3, so no one will be able to see the dress rehearsal. Safety officials also asked people coming to see the show on Monday travel light, and weapons, alcohol, backpacks and glass containers are all prohibited.

"Please carry as little as possible, only what you need," said Jeanne Benincasa Thorpe, an underscretery of homeland security, at a briefing Friday.

Roscoe, a Massachusetts State Police robotic dog, is part of the team keeping the Boston Pops Fourth of July Spectacular safe this year.

State police say they'll have uniformed and plain clothed officers around the Esplanade, a unit in the river and police dogs besides Roscoe the robot.

There will also be multiple roads closed and traffic diverted in parts of the city. Boston Police has asked the public to avoid using cars to get into the city on Monday.

Click here for Boston Police Department's list of road closures and parking restrictions.