Post by musicradio77 on Oct 9, 2005 22:59:02 GMT -5
'Let's go about our business,' mayor sez
BY CELESTE KATZ,
DEREK ROSE
and TRACY CONNOR
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITERS
Mayor Bloomberg said yesterday that New Yorkers should not be afraid to take the subway - even with their children in tow - despite a terrorist threat to blow up trains.
A bulletin circulated by the feds last week pinpointed today as the target date for a purported bloody plot by a "team of terrorist operatives" using remote-controlled detonators on bombs in baby carriages and briefcases.
Asked whether he thought New Yorkers would shun the trains or be frightened to take their kids on the subway, the mayor urged people to remain calm.
"I think most people in New York understand we live in a dangerous world, but we have the greatest police department protecting us," he said. "Let's go about our business."
After learning of the threat, the city launched a massive security crackdown on the subways - a move the Homeland Security Department yesterday called an "absolutely an appropriate response."
The vote of confidence came after two days of naysaying by Homeland Security officials, who had all but dismissed the terror threat, saying it was of "doubtful credibility."
The agency did not backpedal from that position but did for the first time endorse the city's decision to go public about the threat and increase security.
Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff "shares the mayor's view that the benefit of the doubt should be placed on the side of caution," agency spokesman Russ Knocke said.
Bloomberg, meanwhile, said he was more certain than ever that the city reacted correctly.
"We've over the last couple of days become more convinced that the threat was real," he said.
Despite the grim warnings, most riders said they would keep swiping their MetroCards.
"I'll be riding the train," said Alex Medina, 29, a social worker from Washington Heights catching a train at Grand Central.
"They'll impede it from happening," Medina said of the cops, before making a dreadful prediction: "The terrorists will blow up a bus rather than a train."
Elaine Berry, 41, a lawyer from Fairfield, Conn., said the warning did not keep her from coming to the city.
"I'll certainly be more careful and more alert, but I kind of believe if it's your time, it's your time," she said.
Tourists were more cowed by the terror talk.
Angelco Atanasov, 21, a student from Macedonia, said he would stick to above-ground transportation during his vacation in the Big Apple.
"I've never been on a subway before and I really wanted to try, but I'm just too afraid," he said in Times Square. "You never know what could happen."
George Barry, 68, of Johannesburg, had similar concerns.
"We're not going to tempt fate," Barry said. "If it could happen in London, it could just as easily happen here. It's not worth the risk."
BY CELESTE KATZ,
DEREK ROSE
and TRACY CONNOR
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITERS
Mayor Bloomberg said yesterday that New Yorkers should not be afraid to take the subway - even with their children in tow - despite a terrorist threat to blow up trains.
A bulletin circulated by the feds last week pinpointed today as the target date for a purported bloody plot by a "team of terrorist operatives" using remote-controlled detonators on bombs in baby carriages and briefcases.
Asked whether he thought New Yorkers would shun the trains or be frightened to take their kids on the subway, the mayor urged people to remain calm.
"I think most people in New York understand we live in a dangerous world, but we have the greatest police department protecting us," he said. "Let's go about our business."
After learning of the threat, the city launched a massive security crackdown on the subways - a move the Homeland Security Department yesterday called an "absolutely an appropriate response."
The vote of confidence came after two days of naysaying by Homeland Security officials, who had all but dismissed the terror threat, saying it was of "doubtful credibility."
The agency did not backpedal from that position but did for the first time endorse the city's decision to go public about the threat and increase security.
Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff "shares the mayor's view that the benefit of the doubt should be placed on the side of caution," agency spokesman Russ Knocke said.
Bloomberg, meanwhile, said he was more certain than ever that the city reacted correctly.
"We've over the last couple of days become more convinced that the threat was real," he said.
Despite the grim warnings, most riders said they would keep swiping their MetroCards.
"I'll be riding the train," said Alex Medina, 29, a social worker from Washington Heights catching a train at Grand Central.
"They'll impede it from happening," Medina said of the cops, before making a dreadful prediction: "The terrorists will blow up a bus rather than a train."
Elaine Berry, 41, a lawyer from Fairfield, Conn., said the warning did not keep her from coming to the city.
"I'll certainly be more careful and more alert, but I kind of believe if it's your time, it's your time," she said.
Tourists were more cowed by the terror talk.
Angelco Atanasov, 21, a student from Macedonia, said he would stick to above-ground transportation during his vacation in the Big Apple.
"I've never been on a subway before and I really wanted to try, but I'm just too afraid," he said in Times Square. "You never know what could happen."
George Barry, 68, of Johannesburg, had similar concerns.
"We're not going to tempt fate," Barry said. "If it could happen in London, it could just as easily happen here. It's not worth the risk."