Saturday, July 23, 2005

The Bloomberg facade of subway security


It used to be said that the most dangerous place to stand in New York was between Sen. Chuck Schumer and a camera. Well It's now between Mayor Michael Bloomberg and a photo op. But what he says, doesn't always seem to reflect reality. For example regarding those security bag checks in the subways that the subservient mainstream media made such a big deal about:
The announcement by Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly represents a significant ratcheting up of antiterrorism security in the city.
"We live in a world where sadly these types of security measures are necessary," Mr. Bloomberg said. "Are they intrusive? Yes, a little bit. But we're trying to find the right balance." Mr. Kelly said most searches will occur in subway stations, but that the Police Department "will reserve the right" to check the bags of passengers on buses and ferries as well. While the policy is still being worked out, officials said passengers will be checked before they enter a station's turnstiles, though some people inside stations may also be searched.(NYT)
Well for better or worse this just isn't true. It seems that all the transit police have been redeployed to check bags at stations where Mayor Bloomberg is having a photo op.
Ann and I went to visit a friend tonight, got on-and-off several subways and, not only didn't have our bags checked, but never saw a police officer during the entire trip. That seems grossly incompetent to me. So, for now, if you want to feel safe, you'd better take the train wherever Mr. Bloomberg is getting his photo taken.

(Photo: Mario Tama, Getty Images, N.Y. Times)

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