Posted on 03/15/2002 8:56:27 AM PST by kellynla
Let's hope everyone has a riot on Fifth Avenue for the Patrick's Day parade - in the best possible sense of the word.
For those parade-goers jittery in the post-Sept. 11th world, the word seems to be that the parade is as safe to attend as it ever was.
While the New York Police Department never discuss security, a spokeswoman for the Commissioner of Public Information, Michael Collins, said, "there is adequate manpower there to deal with any incident."
And should the parade-going public be concerned about anything?
"Not at all."
Just to check on what security measures might be in place for the parade, the Echo asked former deputy Police Commissioner for New York, John Timoney, also former Police Commissioner for Philadelphia and now CEO of BDA, a provider of investigative and security solutions.
In his trenchant manner, Timoney addressed normal control of large numbers of people at a parade like St. Patrick's Day, as well as special concerns around terrorism.
"There are the normal issues that have been in execution since the last decade, decade and a half," Timoney said. "The general order maintenance, control of underage drinking and public intoxication. There will be the same combination of police and plain clothes guys at major public transportation areas."
The only hint of unrest at the parade might come from the lesbian and gay anti-discrimination protests, he continued, adding that the police policy was clear, that protesters could 'yell but you can't touch,' in recent years.
He didn't expect this to be a major issue, however, although he noted that the various lesbian and gay Irish groups might be more upset this year at Mayor Michael Bloomberg's decision to march on Fifth Avenue.
The location, route and symbolism of the parade, however, could make St. Patrick's Day a target for terrorism, Timoney added, but stressing that it was unlikely, given police measures after Sept. 11th.
"Terrorists are attracted to events where they can achieve a high body count and a symbolic gesture, so they attacked the World Trade Center as opposed to any other tall building, and they achieved a high body count.," Timoney said.
Jeff Schlenger of Kroll's Security Services Group, agreed: "We know from Sept. 11th that terrorists are seeking to create havoc and are concerned to cause as much loss of life as possible."
"So," asked Timoney, "what would be being done? The most immediate thing is good hard intelligence on the ground."
This, he said, was the front-line of defense against terrorism, and he praised NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly who has "brought on board two guys from the federal level of things, so that should mean better sharing of intelligence."
Timoney was referring to the appointment of former marine general Frank Libutti, who was named deputy commissioner for counter terrorism, and former CIA analyst David Cohen, who was named deputy commissioner of intelligence.
"If the police get good shared intelligence, that is good, and they have pretty good intelligence of their own," Timoney added.
Schlenger reminded the public to be vigilent, "there's nothing wrong with being vigilent so long as you don't become a viglante. If you see something suspicious, tell a police officer."
"At the parade, there will be extra eyes at the start of the parade, rooftop surveillance along the route, and clearly at the cathedral, which is very symbolic, there would be a big police presence," said Timoney.
Kroll expert Jeff Schlenger said that he expected the police security to be equal to that which was provided for the World Economic Forum at the Waldorf-Astoria in February.
Timoney concluded, "people should remember that Kelly's in charge. He can't guarantee absolute safety, but there's no better person in the job."
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