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July 21, 2005
Attn. My New Yorkers:
Where were you when the Fourth Amendment ate it?
Have the terrorists won?
(& if so, precisely what? hell of a [consolation] prize; shoulda gone for door number 2...)
UPDATE: I DO NOT CONSENT TO BEING SEARCHED. Sounds kinda nice so better say it twice. loud & clear.
New York City will begin tomorrow morning randomly checking bags at subway stations, commuter railways and on buses, officials announced today in the wake of a second wave of bombings on the London transit system.The announcement by Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly represents a significant ratcheting up of antiterrorism security in the city. Previous efforts have been limited in order to avoid causing delays in a city known for its hustle and the impatience of its denizens.
Officials said the city has never before attempted to regulate the possessions of passengers in its mammoth and complicated transit system. The city's subway system alone has 468 stations and carries some 4.5 million passengers on an average weekday. Some of the larger stations have at least half a dozen entrances and exits. In New York City, relatively few people own cars, and almost everyone who commutes via subway carries a bag of some sort filled with items needed for the entire day, including computers, business documents, gym clothes and makeup. Many people carry two bags.
"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."
In New Security Move, New York Police to Search Commuters' Bags [NYT]
Posted by caps at July 21, 2005 05:11 PM