The following is the full article quoted from The Falmouth Enterprise published on 6/19/26, pages 1 & 12, entitled, “Beach Committee Gets Initial Glimpse At July 4 Safety Plan”.
Expanded road closures, beach parking restrictions, bomb-sniffing dogs, additional security cameras and an increased police presence are expected to be part of this year’s public safety plan for the July 4 fireworks show at Falmouth Heights.
Falmouth Police Sergeant Chris Bartolomei, a member of the Fourth of July Committee, outlined the preliminary security plan to the Beach Committee this week. The plan has not yet been approved by town management and remains subject to change.
Planning for the event began as early as last September.
The plans include the use of some State Police troopers, but this year’s celebration falls between two Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) World Cup games scheduled for June 29 and July 9 in Foxborough. That could impact the availability of state police, he said. Even so, the town has requested assistance.
“It has been a little hard to get manpower,” Bartolomei said.
If state assistance is secured, troopers are expected to be stationed at Menauhant, Bristol, Surf Drive, Goodwill Park, and Old Silver and New Silver beaches. Additional summer officers are scheduled to join the department on July 1.
In the days leading up to July 4, an additional eight to 12 officers are expected to be on duty in areas where problems could arise. Officers will patrol in uniform and plain clothes and will use all-terrain vehicles and bicycles.
“We are hoping to get in front of any problem we could see on the Fourth of July,” Bartolomei said.
Bartolomei said Grand Avenue will be closed for the event and noted that road closures are expected to expand this year, although additional details have not yet been released.
Once other surrounding roads are closed at 4 PM, vehicles remaining inside the restricted area will not be permitted to leave.
“Our job is public safety,” Bartolomei said. “To try having cars drive around a crowd of people, could open us up to a huge, huge problem.”
Like last year, parking lots at Falmouth Heights Beach and Bristol Beach will close at 2 PM.
Public safety officials also plan to expand camera coverage, including 360-degree monitoring throughout the Heights. Cameras will also be used at Bristol Beach and the Kite Field, he said.
The fireworks display is scheduled to begin at about 9 PM. A rain date has been set for July 5.