Police Steps Up Its Presence Near Subways

Increased police presence at commuting centers, like Penn Station, the Port Authority, Times Square, and Grand Central were New York City's answer to heightened security concerns after Thursday's train bombings in Madrid. Mayor Bloomberg's charge, "You've got to make sure you don't let the terrorists win," rings true, though news of icky subway trains were another deterrant to ride. MTA Chairman Peter Kalikow rode the Times Square shuttle with commuters, and another rider said, "This train's gotta be safe. You're on it."

The Times' Michael Luo follows Officer Cathy Paladino and bomb-sniffing dog, Jack, at Grand Central. Gothamist saw Officer Paladino and Jack yesterday morning, and we must say, they did make us feel a tad better, as did the other twenty-plus officers in various uniforms (Combat gear? Check. Cargo pants? Check.). Gothamist refrained from trying to pet Jack, though; we've been reprimanded before about approaching K-9 dogs.

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By Jen Chung in News on March 13, 2004 9:38 AM

Comments [rss]

krucoff

yes, that's exactly what i was doing, comparing the two situations. thanks for the grief counseling and reality check, dude.

but now, if you wanna talk serious about the train situation then check out morgan's comments above yours. police presence in grand central is more of a flashy media story than a real security measure. i'd rather see them on subway platforms and trains. but who knows, maybe they're already using lots of plainclothes cops for that duty.

also, an english friend brought up the point of trashcans in the subway. they're an easy place to drop a bomb and walk away so the london underground actually got rid of them altogether years ago when they were plagued with IRA attacks in that fashion. only recently have bins re-appeared there although they've been re-designed to be transparent or something. seems like only a matter of time before someone tries a trashcan bomb here.

Night and Weekend Minutes

krucoff--there's already plenty of cops on the Lower East Side at 4am. You got unlucky. But honestly, you simply weren't paying attention to your surroundings since you were talking on the phone.

How can a person seriously compare a cellphone-snatcher to the Madrid bombings? Are you that out of touch with reality?!

Morgan

Yea... of course anyone can get onto a Metro North train at any other station, completely devoid of security and let the train travel right into the heart of Grand Central.

Jen

krucoff, did you retrieve your phone? What is so special about your phone? Does it have a little charm of Hello Kitty on it?

billtron

Here is some math for ya.

Glenn

According to my math, more people have died from the third rail and being hit by trains than have died from subway terrorist attacks. If the city is interested in saving lives, they can start by doing something about the ones that are lost on a regular basis.

A similar thought is expressed in today's Nicholas Kristof editorial, "117 Deaths Each Day."

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/03/13/opinion/13KRIS.html?hp

billtron

In my sleepiness I thought that the officer uniforms included jet packs. Is there another name for a reading spoonerism? Is it dyslexia?

streebs

Was at Penn Friday morning and was the usual post-increased-perceived-threat scene:

About a dozen soldiers and/or paramilitary types dressed to the nines in flak jackets and helmets; machine guns and bomb-sniffing dogs in tow...all of them chilling out in a group, hanging around the MTA police desk having a good chat and babe-watching.

I produce consumer marketing events for a living, and if our $12/hr event staff did that they'd be fired. Are these guys waiting for the terrorists to come to the police booth to ask for directions to the men's room? Spread out! Work the room! Mingle already or I'm sending you home!

krucoff

excuse me for taking this into another direction and making this personal, but can they beef up the police presence at the corner of stanton & ludlow at 4am? last night, some motherfucker snatched the cellphone out of my hands while i was talking on it and waiting in line for a kimchi hot dog and korean beef burger from the most excellent vendor who sometimes appears there on weekend nights. i will be adapting this for a made-for-tv movie. really good food, btw.