Another concern are small explosions set off in Midtown, aimed at diverting manpower away from the convention site. Police have already been holding drills where cops simulate a coordinated response called a surge.
Posted on 08/19/2004 9:43:49 AM PDT by beyondashadow
(New York-WABC, August 18, 2004) — An Eyewitness News exclusive -- details on the incredible lengths the NYPD is taking to keep the most radical protestors expected at the Republican Convention under control.
Police are now tracking 56 potentially dangerous people.
Marcus Solis reports from Madison Square Garden.
While international terrorism remains a concern, this operation's focus is primarily on anarchists, and how they plan to disrupt the convention. This week the NYPD began instructing officers on intelligence on this threat. They also began doling out assignments, and for hundreds of officers that means surveillance work that will begin next week.
And it starts for them with a trip out of town.
The debriefings have been taking place at John Jay College and the Police Academy. Inside, the NYPD's intelligence division is outlining security plans for the upcoming Republican National Convention.
The big concern: the anarchist groups which disrupted the W.T.O conference in Seattle in 1999, and who have threatened to do the same here. Sources say the NYPD has identified 56 primary anarchists who will be followed 24 hours a day. One supervisor and six cops will be assigned to each person.
Sources say detectives are leaving this weekend for Boston, Washington D.C., North Carolina, and California to begin surveillance and tail the protestors as they travel to New York.
Sources also say the department is preparing for protestors in Central Park, convinced many demonstrators will descend on the Great Lawn on Sunday, August 29th, regardless of whether a permit is granted.
Another concern are small explosions set off in Midtown, aimed at diverting manpower away from the convention site. Police have already been holding drills where cops simulate a coordinated response called a surge.
Much of the intelligence has come from NYPD cops who have infiltrated various protest groups. Sources say for nearly two years, as many as 20 cops have been meeting with, traveling with, and secretly reporting on the activists' plans.
On Thursday, the department will demonstrate training the training that officers are receiving in arrest tactics. That is for uniformed officers, but the bulk of the undercover work is to be handled by the department's narcotics officers.
Another concern are small explosions set off in Midtown, aimed at diverting manpower away from the convention site. Police have already been holding drills where cops simulate a coordinated response called a surge.
On the other hand that nitwit Bloomberg is giving them coupon books to help them enjoy the Big Apple.
That is just unreal. What is Bloomie thinking? He's lost all credibility.
I heard that some of the anarchists have told protestors to bring molotov cocktails with them. Disgusting!!
Hmmm . . . I work in Midtown. Maybe I'll see some of this idiocy close up.
Setting off explosions in NYC is a really smart idea. You'll get really positive reactions from NYers.
I don't think that these guys realize that, although NYers are about as liberal as SFers, they really don't like street theater.
I work in midtown too and I am not thrilled about going to work that week but I have no choice. The stench will be unbearable!
A bunch of long hair smelly creatures messing up NYC is really bad for the dems. A lot of people connected with NY after the WTC. If you attack the RNC and/or NYC you will really PO a bunch of people.
As to the 56 people, the cops should pick them up for spitting on the sidewalk or cursing in public. That's enough to take them to the Tombs or Rikers for the next 24, and of course processing time will increase due to lack of manpower as everyone will be guarding the RNC.
Just damn.
If you want on the list, FReepmail me. This IS a high-volume PING list...
NO! I want ONE of them in a holding cage with 10 guys with names like Bubba, Shaft and Tiny. After 24 hours with 10 guys like that they will leave town on their own.
So why doesn't he offer these 1/2 price hotels, restaurants, etc. to the entire convention delegation and tourists, or have these offers already been made?
dont forget that bloomberg is actually a democrat. he only ran as a republican to get on the mayoral ticket.
Talk about operating in a target-rich environment!
Delegates do get discount rates based on block reservations but don't hold your breath for Bloomberg to offer pubbies ANYTHING!
When did Bloomberg have credibility?
I think these anarchist protestor types are going to be very very surprised when they run into the NYPD. They may have overwhelmed some smaller city PDs. They are going to be very, very hard pressed to overwhelm 30,000 of New York's Finest.
If things do get ugly, I wouldn't wanna be one of the protestors.
Hmmm--I'm wondering if this was a leak by NYPD to send a message or if it's another case of the media tipping off the terrorists.
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