India Bombings Prompt NYC Transit Security

1010 WINS
Jul. 11, 2006

NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- New York City beefed up its transit security Tuesday as the result of the deadly bombings of Bombay, India's commuter rail network.

The New York Police Department said it was increasing the number of random bag searches and putting hundreds of extra officers in the subways and on ferries during the evening rush hour.

The department said the measures were precautionary, and there had been no specific threats to New York.

1010 WINS Audio: Carol D'Auria Reports on NYC's Heightened Security

``We take a terror attack in any place in the world, especially one on a public transport system, as a serious warning,'' Mayor Michael Bloomberg said.

Seven bombs hit Bombay's commuter rail network during rush hour Tuesday evening, killing as many as 100 people and wounding more than 300 in what authorities called a well-coordinated attack.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority also announced increased security on its rail lines, tunnels and bridges.

``We're increasing our police presence, both uniformed and plainclothes, and taking the steps necessary to secure the system,'' said MTA spokesman Tom Kelly.

He said the beefed up security will be applied at all MTA locations, including the LIRR, Metro-North, Grand Central Terminal, Pennsylvania Station, plus all MTA-run bridges and tunnels leading in and out of the city.

The city began random bag searches a year ago in response to the mass transit bombings in London. NYPD officials have refused to say how many bags police have searched in the past year, or specify where and when they do it. They claim that by making deployment unpredictable, they can keep would-be bombers off-balance.

The city's 468 subway stations serve an average 4.5 million daily riders.