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In preparation for the July 26-29 Democratic National Convention in Boston, Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) soon will begin random security inspections of bags and other carry-on items.

MBTA and the authority’s police department have launched a public education campaign for the Security Screening Program. The education campaign includes hand-outs, signs, press releases, media interviews and information on the agency’s Web site.

"The terrorist attacks on New York, Washington [D.C.], and Madrid are foremost on our minds as Boston plays an integral and highly symbolic role in the democratic process of choosing a president," said Transportation Secretary Daniel Grabauskas in a prepared statement.

The program is an extension of the Transit Watch program, which promotes the reporting of suspicious activity or unattended packages. Under the new program, all MBTA passengers will be subject to inspection of handbags, briefcases and other carry-on items. The inspections will include the use of electronic equipment, explosive detection K-9 units, and visual inspections.

After the convention, law enforcement and transportation officials will discuss future safety procedures.