May 20, 2004
(1010 WINS) New York City: Transit officials on Thursday proposed
banning photography on subways and buses for their more than 7
million daily riders to deter terrorists from conducting
surveillance of the nation's largest mass transit system.
NYC Transit, the division of the Metropolitan Transportation
Authority that runs the subways, the buses and the Staten Island
Railway, said the ban on photography and videotaping would not apply
to journalists with valid ID cards or to people with written
permission.
Officials have paid increasing attention to transit security as the
Republican National Convention approaches and following the March 11
Madrid commuter train bombings, which killed 191 people. Emergency
officials staged a mock explosion in a downtown Manhattan subway
terminal on Sunday.
Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly, testifying in Washington, D.C.,
before homeland security officials last November, used as an example
of a security threat the questioning of two Iranian citizens who
were taking video images of the subway tracks on the No. 7 line in
Queens.
NYC Transit President Lawrence Reuter said the rule changes
were "intended to enhance security and safety" for customers and
employees.
Gene Russianoff, attorney for the Straphangers Campaign, a commuter
advocacy group, said the photo ban "raises serious First Amendment
issues" by allowing only journalists and people with MTA permission
to take photos and make videos.
The photo and video ban had been part of the rules on ridership
until 10 years ago, when it was removed, NYC Transit spokesman
Charles Seaton said.
NYC Transit also proposed banning passengers from using end doors to
move from one subway car to another, putting feet up on seats and
standing on skateboards on subways or buses, among other changes.
Violators of the rules would be subject to fines. The changes need
MTA board approval after a 45-day period of public comment.
7 Train!!! ...that's my train. Has anybody heard what happened to those Iranians who filmed the 7 train? (likely released with their film returned???)
Interesting. Something is definitely up for them to impose such extreme measures on the entire NYC subway system.
Having never been to New York, or, anywhere near N.Y., is this accurate?