With loudspeaker warnings, the MBTA puts citizens on alert and wary passengers report an outbreak of the heebie-jeebies
By Deborah Fineblum Raub, Boston Globe Correspondent | July 11, 2004
Taped announcements warning of "suspicious behaviors" and cautioning everyone to "stay calm" ricocheted from the catacomb-like walls of the Park Street T station. My fellow travelers and I cast furtive glances at one another, potential terrorists all, even the elderly woman with the shopping cart full of -- groceries?
Sadly, we were the very same people who'd been exchanging smiles and even the occasional pleasantry minutes earlier out in the sunshine.
Since the MBTA's "See something? Say something" campaign, launched May 4, such warnings over the public address systems at T stations have become commonplace, running every 10 minutes or so day and night.
"It was weird at first to hear them, but it was weird the first time I had to take off my shoes going through security at the airport," shrugged Bill Davidson of Brookline, passing through Park Street. "Pretty soon I guess we'll get used to it."
Thank you for the links JJ!