Breaking News: Terror Threat On NYC Subway
(CBS) NEW YORKMayor Bloomberg and Police Commissioner Ray Kelly are announcing an increase in security on the New York City subway system, after intelligence reports indicate a "credible security threat" to its transit system.
A source tells CBS 2 News that the threat is "specific to place, time and method," and that the method is bombing.
Rep. Peter King confirmed the threat, saying "Obviously, this is a significant threat." King is chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee.
The law enforcement official said authorities are especially concerned about bags on the subway, and plan to flood New York's mass transit system with police officers.
An estimated 4.5 million passengers ride the New York subway on an average weekday. The system has more than 468 subway stations.
NYPD To Issue Transit Terror Warning
POSTED: 5:12 pm EDT October 6, 2005
UPDATED: 5:45 pm EDT October 6, 2005NEW YORK -- A new terror threat to the New York City subway system has prompted the New York Police Department and federal law enforcement officials to ramp up security across the city.
Intelligence information indicates a terror cell overseas was planning to target the subways in a plan that some investigators say might try to mirror the deadly attacks on the transit systems of London and Madrid, NewsChannel 4 has learned.
"This is the first time we have had a threat at this level of specificity," New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg said at a press conference.
The FBI and NYPD have been alerted that suspects might try to use backpacks, briefcases or even baby carriages to smuggle explosives into the subways, according to sources.
One source stressed that the warning is still uncorroborated. Nevertheless, NYPD officials felt the information was specific enough to warrant extra precautions.
Law enforcement sources said several terror suspects have been captured overseas, but there is concern that some members of a sleeper cell might be in the New York City area. Authorities have launched a manhunt to root out possible suspects.
The threat indicated the attack was planned for the second week of October -- perhaps around the time of elections in Iraq -- and specifically targeted trains in New York City, sources said.
For the past week, the NYPD, federal law enforcement officials and international intelligence agencies have been trying to track the threat information. Because of the arrests overseas, they are considering the threat to be a credible one.
As a precaution, extra police will be on the trains and subways to increase security. The NYPD will immediately begin expanding its bag searches at subway stations across the city.
That's interesting.... Doesn't leave much mystery.
They mentioned baby carriages, too, as possible vehicles for bombs.