Atlanta Police Chief George Turner will announce Thursday afternoon new public safety and security plans for the upcoming Peachtree Road Race and other Fourth of July events in the wake of the terrorist bombings at the Boston Marathon.

Atlanta Police Department Public Affairs Manager Carlos Campos said APD has been working with city, state and federal agencies and the Atlanta Track Club for several months now.

The public will be asked to not bring backpacks to Independence Day events at Centennial Park, Tuner Field, Lenox Square and Piedmont Park for the Peachtree Road Race. Campos indicated there will be bag checks at Piedmont Park. Expect to see a heightened police presence during the festivities as all leave has been canceled and officers will be working 12-hour shifts over the three-day period.

Also expected to be announced is the opening of a Joint Operations Center from July 3 to July 5 at Atlanta Public Safety Headquarters. The FBI, GBI, GEMA, Atlanta-Fulton County Emergency Management Agency and a host of other agencies will be involved.

More as it develops.

Collin Kelley has been the editor of Atlanta Intown for two decades and has been a journalist and freelance writer for 35 years. He’s also an award-winning poet and novelist.