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http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?section=investigators&id=3262359

MTA To Install Surveillance Cameras In Subway TunnelsThe Eyewitness News Investigators
(New York-WABC, July 18, 2005 ) - The MTA is confirming that it will install high tech surveillance cameras in every underwater tunnel connecting Manhattan to Long Island, New Jersey and the northern suburbs. The move stems from the deadly terrorist attacks in London.

Sarah Wallace is on the Upper West Side with more.
An MTA spokesman maintains the closed circuit TV plan has been in the works for some time but there's no denying it received new attention following the London Terror bombings. Now the plan is getting action - a spokesman tells me installation will begin sooner rather than later - likely in the next couple of months.

Gerry Kane, Retired Policeman: "The tunnels are the number one place where they should apply this technology."

And retired cop Gerry Kane knows from where he speaks. Six years ago he ran the transit detective squad for Manhattan, now he helps run a security firm that installs and monitors closed circuit TV systems in more than 300 office buildings.

Gerry Kane: "All these monitors tie-in to computers and all the computers weave the images."

He weighed in on MTA's plan to install video cameras to detect intruders entering the 14 subway and commuter rail tunnels leading to Manhattan.

Gerry Kane: "You can integrate that with access control technology, which will tell the person in the MTA office that an authorized person has entered the location."

Or an unauthorized person.

Gerry Kane: "You could have that in the tunnels, there's nothing that would stop that from being in the tunnels."

It was a CCTV camera that helped catch the London bombers, after the fact. No one makes the argument the video could have prevented the attack. They were just men with backpacks, but still, CCTV cameras are widely believed to deter crime - including in New York City's housing projects.

So why wasn't the MTA camera-ready before? A spokesman says they were working out technical issues.

Sarah Wallace: "Do you think that it's a little late?"

Governor George Pataki: "Obviously I want everything done yesterday let alone tomorrow, but we're going to continue to push, they're going to do it, and we're just going to make sure it happens as quickly as it can."

Commuter: "It should have been done before to deter, it's still an ounce of prevention and a pound of cure."

Commuter: "I think it's alright because security will be a lot better and why they haven't done it yet I have no idea but it's good that it's going on now."

The initial plan is for several dozen cameras - the cost - several hundred million dollars, but then again, the MTA has $600 million capital funding.