The Town of Lexington will purchase 100 interlocking metal crowd barricades after receiving a $10,000 risk management grant from the Massachusetts Interlocal Insurance Association, the town announced Wednesday, July 15.

The barriers will be shared across Lexington's public safety staff, Department of Public Works, Fire Department, and Police Department to manage spectators at large gatherings, including the annual Patriots' Day reenactment on the Battle Green.

Town Manager Steve Bartha pointed to the town's recent 11-day FIFA World Cup celebration, which drew more than 20,000 visitors, as proof that better crowd infrastructure is overdue.

"Hosting an 11-day FIFA World Cup celebration that welcomed more than 20,000 visitors reinforced just how important effective crowd management is for our community," Bartha said in the press release. "This grant allows us to strengthen public safety at our largest events, protect residents and visitors, and support our Public Safety teams with reliable, long-term equipment."

According to the town, the barricades will reduce the risk of interactions between pedestrians and vehicles, improve safety at major gatherings year-round, and serve as a long-term alternative to temporary crowd-control measures.

MIIA, the town's property and casualty insurer, is a membership service of the Massachusetts Municipal Association. Its FY2026 grant program distributed $1 million across 146 member communities statewide. The program is in its 24th year.

Stan Corcoran, MIIA executive vice president, said the program focuses on helping municipalities take practical steps to reduce risk, noting that this year's priorities included evolving weather patterns, employee health and safety, and cybersecurity threats.

Lexington enforces strict security protocols at large events. Spectator guidelines for the town's Patriots' Day Weekend 2026 celebrations required clear bags, prohibited weapons, fireworks, tents, and coolers, and warned that bags were subject to search at any time.

The press release, issued by Taylor M. Galusha, the town's director of communications, did not specify when the barricades will be delivered or which event they will first be deployed at. The town has not named a vendor or disclosed the per-unit cost.