Police Gear Up For Boston Crowds

BOSTON (AP) – Authorities are gearing up for crowd control

around Boston as the Celtics take on the Lakers in Game 6 of the

NBA finals needing one victory to secure an unprecedented 18th

title.

Massachusetts State Police say troopers, dog and mounted patrols

will assist Boston police if the Celtics win Tuesday night and fans

begin celebrating.

In the past, some Boston sports celebrations have ended in

tragedy, including three deaths since 2004.

A college student stopped breathing and went into cardiac arrest

after being taken into custody on a public drinking charge during

street celebrations of the Celtics' 2008 championship. He died 11

days later.

Another college student died in October 2004 after being struck

in the eye by a pepper-pellet fired by police while celebrating the

Red Sox victory in the AL Championship Series.

A 21-year-old man was killed when a drunken driver plowed

through a crowd of revelers during Super Bowl victory celebrations

in February 2004.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)