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January 27, 2010
Atlantic Yards YES! State-of-the-art Transit Security Measures NO!!
While the MTA apparently had enough money to defer an $80 million payment from Atlantic Yards developer Bruce Ratner for the Vanderbilt Yard over 22 years, it doesn't seem to have the cash to implement anti-terror security measures intended to keep subway and bus passengers safe.
The New York Times, M.T.A. Short on Security System Cash
After the attack of Sept. 11, 2001, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority pledged to enact state-of-the-art security measures throughout the New York City transit system, widely considered a potential target for terrorism.
But many elements of the program, including the installation of digital surveillance cameras and motion detectors, have yet to be completed, and the authority no longer has enough money to finish them, according to a report released Tuesday by the state comptroller’s office.
“The M.T.A. is struggling to bring the security of its system into the 21st century,” the comptroller, Thomas P. DiNapoli, said in a statement. “The project is taking too long, costing too much, and there is no end in sight.”
Has DiNapoli bothered to take a look at the massive waste of money otherwise known as "Atlantic Yards?" Of course not.
Norman Seabrook, an authority board member and chairman of its safety and security committee, said he was worried that layoffs and service cuts could jeopardize customers’ safety. “We don’t have enough manpower to cover the system,” he said. “We’re not going to be able to respond properly.”
Mr. Seabrook didn't bother to show up for the vote at which the MTA's board overwhelmingly approved a sweetened sweetheart deal for Bruce Ratner.
NoLandGrab: "If you see something, say something" — unless the crime benefits Forest City Ratner.
Related coverage...
2nd Ave. Sagas, Subway safety suffering, says DiNapoli
As part of his ongoing series of progress reports into the MTA’s attempts at beefing up its security, New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli has released his most scathing indictment of the transit agency so far. A new report, released yesterday, says that the MTA is years behind implementing its planned post-9/11 security upgrades and may very well run out of money before completing the project.
...Still, the MTA plans to spend what little money it has left on incremental upgrades and has defended its efforts in a statement. “Ensuring
that Bruce Ratner's basketball arena gets builtthe safety and security of our customers continues to be the MTA’s top priority...."
Posted by eric at January 27, 2010 1:04 PM