Posted on 02/25/2006 8:23:53 PM PST by Calpernia
New York -- Some day, at the new and rebuilt World Trade Center site, visitors might submit to an iris scan or an analysis of their thumb print to get into buildings, while smart cameras try to match their faces to a photo database of known terrorists. Well-paid, armed guards would be on patrol while sensors test the air for lethal gases.
Preliminary details of a plan to make the redeveloped 16-acre site as terrorism-proof as possible were provided to The Associated Press this week by former FBI agent James Kallstrom, Gov. George Pataki's senior counterterrorism adviser. Kallstrom and city and federal officials are aiming for a standard of security that doesn't yet exist in public spaces around the nation.
"This'll be reflective of the times we live in," said Kallstrom. "The consequences of attacking here could have more significance to the terrorists. It has a lot of symbolism. It's going to be extremely well protected."
The plan is taking shape while construction is set to begin this spring on a memorial to the 2001 terrorist attacks and the Freedom Tower, a 1,776-foot skyscraper that some say is having trouble attracting tenants because of security concerns. A transit hub, performing arts center and more office towers are also planned.
The security officials — working with a high-tech firm that provided security at the Athens and Salt Lake City Olympics — are also trying to avoid embarrassing public disputes. Last spring, architects working for developer Larry Silverstein were forced to completely redesign the Freedom Tower after the NYPD publicly aired concerns that the building might not withstand a truck bomb.
Kallstrom, who Pataki assigned to oversee a ground zero security plan amid the controversy, said law enforcement officials were now cooperating.
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which owns the site and has its own police force, could share responsibility for the site with city police and highly trained, armed security guards.
"These will not be minimum-wage people," Kallstrom said.
NYPD deputy commissioner Paul Browne wouldn't comment on how city police might be involved in the trade center site, saying only that a counterterrorism division team is reviewing "plans for potential vulnerabilities of new construction and existing structures" throughout New York. Port Authority spokesman John McCarthy said the agency would likely follow Kallstrom's recommendations, which may not be complete for a year.
The security questions at one of the most complex building projects in the nation range from fireproofing buildings and security on trains to the managing of millions of tourists.
And the irony of it all is the name, "Freedom Tower".
While all this is well and good, how is it going to affect an airliner moving at 600mph?
former FBI agent James Kallstrom
He's a private DICK now. Why all this bother James, you can just say the boiler room exploded for no reason at all and everyone will buy it.
Freedom Tower should include an ICBM launch site as well. That would be much nicer than making it a prison.
The plane will have to be microchipped and scanned before flying into the airspace.
/sarcasm
You mean with a center fuel tank that's due to explode? Jimmy is an ex pert on those.
Now I like that idea :)
The visitors will also have to pay a hefty fee to enter.
Nah. The Port Authority of NY/NJ owns it. So it will be our taxes that covers all the extra costs.
They will still charge a fee on top of taxes.
I'm sure you are right.
So why are known terrorist allowed to be running around in this country in the first place.
bttt
So why won't terrorists just blow up some other building?
There is certainly no shortage of targets to chose from in Manhattan. Some must be thinly defended, with one drowsy security guard sitting at a desk.
Because, if you use logic, you can't bid out for pay to play contracts.
| Smart Cameras, Armed Guards to Protect WTC
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I have seen drawings of potential AAA installations on the four corners of the rooftops.
Actually a Phalanx type system that protects aircraft crriers and Ageis cruisers might be just the ticket.
What of other buildings in New York? Do muslims strike twice in the same area?
If I recall, 9/11 was done by airplanes. All that security like iris scan and thumb print would do no good.
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If the cameras are smarter than the guards, let's arm the cameras instead.