More Thoughts On Transportation Security

Yesterday, I gave the requisite slam to Congress for failing to address the crumbling infrastructure for the Hudson and East River tunnels that carry NJ Transit, LIRR, Amtrak, and MTA trains. Hundreds of thousands of people take those trains on a daily basis and there is no real good way to prevent terrorists from striking.

In fact, it's impossible. Even the experts have to acknowledge that fact. If we want to be able to get to work on time and in a timely manner, the possibility that a terrorist might sneak a bomb onto a subway or train remains a possibility.

What the article doesn't address is two-fold. One is the fact that conductors and engineers on board the trains have a tremendous responsibility thrust on them. They are the official eyes and ears for anything suspicious. They walk the rails, subways, and trains daily and know them better than anyone else (or they should know). They should easily spot things that seem off and alert the proper authorities. Yet, some don't take the time to go through crowded train cars to check tickets after each stop. Oh, I know it's a pain for them, and the passengers, but that simple step could uncover something amiss (not to mention make sure that the proper fares are collected). Sure, the officials say that they've trained their workers to do more, and that there are more police on trains, but give things a week or so to calm down, and we're back to business as usual and the threats remain while the security is not really improved. Installing cameras might catch a glimpse of a terrorist in action, but it cannot apprehend a person. A camera cannot stop a terrorist before they strike. Cops patrolling do help, but the costs become prohibitive to increase staffing to keep up with the needs. And eventually, everyone slowly loses focus and the cops go back to their regular schedules and things settle back into the usual patterns.

Until the next time.

The second problem is the one I addressed yesterday (and further discussions at LGF's open thread. The article says that NJ Transit is looking at ways to improve security at various places, but those enhancements need money.

Look at the NJ, NY, or even the federal budget. Do you see appropriations for the tunnels?

Nope.

Because they're not there. They are a big ticket item that should easily stand out. Not only because of the cost, but because any politician worth their salt would tout the 'pork' brought home in the form of a hundreds of millions of dollars in contracts to rehabilitate and improve the Hudson and East River tunnels.