NYPD on lookout for terrorist takeover of TV outlets (Operation Atlas)

Associated Press | March 19, 2003 | Tom Hays

[Timesink]

NYPD on lookout for terrorist takeover of TV outlets

By TOM HAYS, Associated Press Writer

March 19, 2003, 1:27 AM EST

NEW YORK (AP) - The New York Police Department has stepped up security outside major television news outlets in Manhattan to prevent possible takeovers by terrorists who may want to broadcast anti-American messages.

"It's a concern, especially with international television companies," police Commissioner Raymond Kelly said Tuesday at a news conference announcing wartime security measures for the city.

Under a sweeping plan called Operation Atlas, police officials will deploy special patrols to guard television stations clustered in midtown Manhattan and elsewhere.

The step was not prompted by a specific threat or intelligence, police said. But counterterrorism experts and broadcast executives have viewed television news studios as potential targets since the Sept. 11 attack.

"It's something we have to think about and plan for," said Sandy Genelius, spokeswoman for CBS News.

An ABC News spokesman, Jeffrey Schneider, said the network "appreciates the efforts of the NYPD to enhance our security."

The 36,500-officer police department, the nation's largest, began formulating Operation Atlas in recent weeks as war with Iraq grew more certain. The operation arose from fears that during a conflict the city could become a target for retaliation by terrorists.

The plan, which could cost more than $5 million a week, is "the most comprehensive terror prevention program our city has implemented," Mayor Michael Bloomberg said.

Once the war begins, police plan to mobilize hundreds of extra officers to patrol in and around locations considered susceptible to suicide bombers or other attacks _ places of worship, landmarks, tourist attractions, Wall Street, train stations among them. Other officers will staff checkpoints at bridges and tunnels in Manhattan and elsewhere.

The NYPD will pay special attention to ferry boats and subways, where officers have been running drills to converge on train cars and platforms at the first sign of trouble. Those officers will use dogs trained to sniff for explosives.

The department has already deployed heavily armed units known as Hercules teams to visit potential targets such as Times Square to disrupt terrorist reconnaissance. Separate units have been trained to detect and contain biological and chemical hazards.

Bloomberg said the plan would include the resumption of military flight patrols above the city. In a related move Tuesday, the Federal Aviation Administration put tighter restrictions on airspace in a 30-mile radius around John F. Kennedy International Airport.

Operation Atlas also calls for police commanders in each of the five boroughs to develop plans so they can operate as independent departments if police headquarters in Manhattan were disabled.

The $5 million weekly cost would cover overtime for officers reassigned from their usual details.

Bloomberg said he would be in Washington on Wednesday, meeting with the state's congressional delegation and Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge. He said that he would bring up issues of cost but that, no matter what, "We will not skimp on protecting the city."

On the Net:

New York Police Department: http://www.nyc.gov/html/nypd/home.html

[Timesink]

"Roker! We have you surrounded! Put down the microphone and step away from the doughnuts!"

[Fabozz]

"The New York Police Department has stepped up security outside major television news outlets in Manhattan to prevent possible takeovers by terrorists who may want to broadcast anti-American messages."

Damn, that's an insidious scheme. Why, the terrorists could be holed up in those studios for weeks before we realized what they were doing!

[apeman81]

"The New York Police Department has stepped up security outside major television news outlets in Manhattan to prevent possible takeovers by terrorists who may want to broadcast anti-American messages."

The Cops want to keep the democrats off the air?

[Keith in Iowa]

Please...anyone with half a brain about the technology is NOT going to take over a studio - they're going to hijack an uplink facility and insert their propaganda there.

[kayak]

I know what you mean. I was wondering how we would ever know.

[Redcloak]

Question: How would we know the difference between terrorists spouting anti-American propaganda on a hijacked station versus the usual Hollywood types spouting anti-American propaganda on a non-hijacked station?

[U S Army EOD]

Anyway we could get them to come down to Atlanta and check out CNN? If they can, make sure and bring a lot of men because the bad guys have been entrenched there for years.

[Mo1]

The New York Police Department has stepped up security outside major television news outlets in Manhattan to prevent possible takeovers by terrorists who may want to broadcast anti-American messages.

The peace nics are already doing this with their protests

[stripes1776]

The New York Police Department has stepped up security outside major television news outlets in Manhattan to prevent possible takeovers by terrorists who may want to broadcast anti-American messages.

It's time the news media gets it correct. It's not terrorists. It's Muslim extremists.

[JustPiper]

What does worry me for New Yorkers is hearing the info from Bobby Kennedy Jr. tonight on Indian Point Nuke Facility. He said they are not protected, as the owners of it and our government are all passing the buck on who is responsible for protecting it.

This seems to be the problem basically at all nuke plants, which I personally did not know. They have rent-a-sops who say they will flee at the first sight of terrorists.

Now with Indian Point. 21 million are in the 'zone' for 35 miles and he said, Joe agreed, that NYC would virtually be unihabitable if it was hit. I plan to read more on this and other nuke plants, for the issue of our home security, funds not being released and unprotected plants is unacceptable to me.

[Hillarys Gate Cult]

Because the terrorists have threatned to air good programming with quality shows that don't insult the viewer's intelligence. It would finish TV.

[thunders]

There is no difference, in my opinion.

The only thing that would change this situation is if it were a violent takeover, in which people were injured or killed...

[HitmanLV]

I agree with you, Keith, but breaking in and holding a gun to some talking head to get him to read a statement, and killing him and others in the room, on live worldwide TV, would be a lot more dramatic.

[Keith in Iowa]

Sorry, but the minute there was a breach of security at the studio, they'd pull the plug to the uplink, transmitter, or whatever - and they'd never be seen.

[kayak]

LOL!

[laz17]

I'm sure See BS would willingly hand over their facilities to terrorists. No need for terrorists to take them over. They wouldn't even need to put a gun to Blather's head to get him to cooperate. He does that already, and gets paid for it.

[Norman Arbuthnot]

to prevent possible takeovers by terrorists who may want to broadcast anti-American messages.

If the terrorists took over CNN how would we know?

[HitmanLV]

I don't know much about it, I'll take your word for it. I'm just thinking of the drama of it all - Al Queada's style!

[Petronski]

Please! Not Regis and Kelly!

[Enduring Freedom]

On the lookout?

Look no further than ABC World News Tonite.

Petey "I hump war sluts" Jennings is a spokesmouth for Radical Muslim terrorists.

The LEFT-WING ABC has already been compromised, and needs liberation.

Call the FBI, Homeland, and your local pest control officers.