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April 18, 2008
TRASHY WTC SECURITY
HOMELESS GUY FINDS KEY PLAN IN A CAN
New York Post
by Jeremy Olshan and Kevin Fasick
OK, we know that the World Trade Center and Atlantic Yards are two different projects, but if blueprints detailing the thickness of walls and the location of support beams in the Freedom Tower turn up in a SoHo trash can, should we really be taking Forest City Ratner spokesperson Bruce Bender's word that Atlantic Yards arena security plans are A-OK?
Two sets of confidential blueprints for the planned Freedom Tower, which is set to rise at Ground Zero, were carelessly dumped in a city garbage can on the corner of West Houston and Sullivan streets, The Post has learned.
Experts said the detailed, floor-by-floor schematics contain enough detail for terrorists to plot a devastating attack.
"Secure Document - Confidential," warns the title page on each of the two copies of the 150-page schematic that a homeless, recovering drug addict discovered in the public trash can.
...As shocking as such dangerous lapses in security are, experts contend that they are bound to happen again.
"Outrageous security breeches like this amplify how vulnerable New Yorkers are," said Nicholas Casale, former head of security for the MTA.
NoLandGrab: We're reminded that the numerous elected officials who demanded an independent security study of the Atlantic Yards project nearly six months ago have been completely ignored by the ESDC and law-enforcement officials.
And is it too much to add that Mike Fleming, the homeless gentleman who found the Freedom Tower plans, wouldn't be eligible for Atlantic Yards affordable housing — while a family earning $113,000 would?
Posted by eric at April 18, 2008 3:21 PM