Subway Terror Tactics

The Post speaks with a former transit engineer who says that MTA could be doing a "faster and cheaper" job of making sure the subway is safe during a terror attack. And that not enough attention is being paid to vulnerable areas, such as East River tunnels. Retired engineer Mel Levy effectively tells the Post that the MTA's too bureaucratic to make the $100 million earmarked for security measures go all the way, that he offered his services to consult with them for free but never heard back, and then freaks Gothamist and other subway riding New Yorkers out by saying subway windows should be bolted - "That would stop anyone from tossing a bomb into a tunnel from the train."

The city is planning an emergency drill at the Bowling Green station on May 16 ("Operation Transit-Safe). Since it's a Sunday, and the Bowling Green station is relatively quiet, emergency workers go through the paces of a simulated terror situation. There was a simulated terror situation drill at Shea Stadium in March.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jen Chung in News on May 7, 2004 11:24 AM

Comments [rss]

Charlie

Time? 3:00am

Matt

Re: taking pictures... not a bad idea and I might try to make it down there next Sunday. It all depends on my ability to wake up that early. Although, do you really expect to see much?

cherie

I don't understand why they are worried about bolting the windows on the trains when the doors between cars are open on the trains I take. No problem just stepping between cars, dropping explosives while we are under the river. All the "security tactics" this city has taken in the last two years don't make me feel any safer, but it appears to work for the tourists.

tien

may 16th?!? that's the day of my poorly received house cleaning get together!

Jen

Thanks for the tip, Alison! And I don't know what time...maybe I'll be camped out - the police department isn't releasing any other details. I'll try to snoop around.

janelle

what time?

Alison

Jen sometimes you can even volunteer to be a participant (a victim) in the drills. Not sure if that's the case here. My sister did it once an was minutes away from a medivac ride to the local hospital but the chopper was called to a real emergency.

Alison

Jen sometimes you can even volunteer to be a participant (a victime) in the drills. Not sure if that's the case here. My sister did it once an was minutes away from a medivac ride to the local hospital but the chopper was called to a real emergency.