this is a bullshit piece of propaganda... the PA is still on civilian CB radio over truckers/taxis/etc. if something were to happen god bless them... they got a shot in hell mobilizing over those airwaves.

Public transit security boost after 'chatter'

Friday, November 28, 2008
By MICHAELANGELO CONTE
JOURNAL STAFF WRITER

Police have bolstered security in subways and trains after the government said Wednesday that al-Qaida suicide bombers were contemplating an attack in and around New York's mass transit systems during the holiday season.

"Because of the alert, Jersey City police have beefed up patrol around bus, Light Rail, PATH, and ferry transportation hubs in uniform and plainclothes," Jersey City Police Lt. Edgar Martinez said Wednesday. "NJ Transit and the Port Authority are doing the same thing."

An internal memo obtained by The Associated Press says the FBI received a "plausible but unsubstantiated" report that al-Qaida terrorists in late September may have discussed attacking the subway system around the holidays.

A person briefed on the matter, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the threat may also be directed at the passenger rail lines running through New York, such as Amtrak and the Long Island Rail Road.

A federal law enforcement official said there's no indication that anyone involved in the planning is in the United States.

Bruce McIndoe, president of iJET Intelligent Risk Systems, which advises companies on travel safety, said transportation is always a "hot" area for terror concerns, but individual warnings don't mean terrorists have the capability to pull off such an attack.

McIndoe said the real message of the federal bulletin to local police is: "We're picking up some chatter. We have nothing to substantiate it, so it's better to be safe and step it up a bit, let's get through the holiday season and get on to the next thing."

Rep. Peter King, the top Republican on the House Homeland Security Committee, said authorities "have very real specifics as to who it is and where the conversation took place and who conducted it."

"It certainly involves suicide bombing attacks on the mass transit system in and around New York and it's plausible, but there's no evidence yet that it's in the process of being carried out," King said.

A spokeswoman for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey said that in recent years the authority has invested almost $4 billion in technology and manpower to help enhance security throughout the region.

"Getting our millions of travelers to their destination safely is the Port Authority's top priority," the spokeswoman said. "Just as we do every holiday season, the agency has stepped up security patrols and surveillance at all our facilities this weekend."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.