State Police to help with Long Island Marathon security

New York State Police will send help to Nassau County this weekend to boost already heightened security at the Long Island Marathon, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo announced Friday.

Cuomo and State Police Superintendent Joseph D'Amico said they will provide troopers "and other resources" -- including police dogs, added communications capabilities and access to a state police helicopter -- to aid Nassau County police in securing weekend events.

Those events include 1-mile, 5K and "fun run" races Saturday and the 10K, and half and full marathons on Sunday.

"In light of the recent tragedy at the Boston Marathon, it is important we increase security efforts to keep participants in this weekend's Long Island Marathon safe," Cuomo said in a statement.

A Cuomo administration official declined to detail the number of troopers who will staff the marathon, or the cost to the state, but said it would be a "significant detail."

D'Amico said troopers have held several planning sessions with Nassau police to devise a cooperative security plan.

Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano said earlier this week that the county will spend "a minimum of" $250,000 more than in previous years on marathon security. Uniformed and plainclothes officers will be joined by medical and mental health officials and volunteer firefighters -- and runners and some spectators must pass through checkpoints.

Only registered participants will be allowed into the starting line area on Charles Lindbergh Boulevard near the Nassau Coliseum Sunday.