NYC Warned of 'Emergency' Threat (Scary)

ABC News ^ | June 20, 2002

[max_rpf]

NYC on Alert for Emergency Vehicle Car Bombs

N E W   Y O R K, June 20 — Police and fire officials in New York are being warned that terrorists may be trying to acquire surplus or replica emergency vehicles to use as car bombs that could be planted near government buildings or landmarks without drawing attention.

A law enforcement source confirmed a report in The New York Daily News today that officials were alerted to the plot when two unidentified Middle Eastern men tried to buy a replica ambulance at a northern New Jersey shop that builds copies of emergency vehicles, police cars and fire trucks.

The owner of the shop became suspicious when the men tried to pay cash, and the pair fled without leaving any identification, the source told the News.

"This is a real concern. Terrorists have used ambulances to sneak suicide bombers into areas," the souce told the newspaper.

Among the sites officials fear could be targeted are City Hall, FBI offices, police department headquarters and even fire department facilities.

Fire department and police investigators have already begun efforts to ensure that unauthorized people cannot gain access to facilities where emergency vehicles are stored or repaired, fire department sources told the News.

"We've been told to watch our vehicles, all our vehicles," a fire department source said. "It's the vehicles that can get into areas that we are really concerned about. Who is not going to let a patrol car pass, or an ambulance, especially if we are in a state of emergency?"

The alert comes as the city is gearing up for July Fourth festivities, which generally draw huge crowds to fireworks displays around Manhattan.

[cake_crumb]

"Of course, the "training" doesn't really take all that well with some of us, LOL! "

Must be it didn't take for me...I was laughing like crazy as I read it!

[Timesink]

When Clintoon was reelected, it became most clear to me how truely apathetic our nation had become.

I dunno. I was disgusted that he got reelected, but you have to admit Dole ran one of the most piss-poor presidential campaigns in American history. "It's My Turn, Damn It!" isn't really the best platform to attract the electorate.

Besides, when the economy's flying high, it's almost impossible for an incumbent president to lose anyway. There's nothing new about that.

[Jhoffa_]

I tell you the truth, if these are the best terrorists they can throw at us then we are all gonna live for a thousand years.

Don't they know that paying in cash is a dead giveaway?

Don't believe me? Walk into your bank or local car dealer with a briefcase full of cash and see if you don't get a visit from fedgov.

[cake_crumb]

"What would it cost to outfit the fleets with pigskin steering wheel covers? (And do they make any that would fit airplane yokes?)"

Not all that much I bet, especially with a bulk discount....

[Mariner]

"Hate Crime"

Don't you get it? If the police become suspicious of middle-eastern men and question them, it's racial profiling.

If a citizen becomes suspicious of middle-eastern men, and calls in a report, the police would just be checking out a report of suspicious activity and would not be subject to the charge of "racial profiling".

Citizens have a role to play here.

[bybybill]

You are so hot for war, enlist. Its always the guys that don`t know war that want it { they usually like to then watch it on CNN]

[Mudboy Slim]

"...excellent example why we must use profiling..."

Yep...it's ridiculous to pretend we shouldn't use our discretion in determining whether or not folks are likely to be planning on mass-murdering our Countrymen. Those who argue otherwise have another agenda...an anti-American Agenda!!

FReegards...MUD

[pyx]

Why is it that not one single Saudi Arabian has been expelled from the US since September 11, 2001 ?

[sixmil]

This is just more proof that we are not safe until these freaks are removed from our society; not after they get caught trying to pull something off, but right now.

[bybybill]

As you grow up I hope somebody will teach you the difference between two words--some and all

Just because some ex-military guy wants to use nukes or that Macarthur wanted to discuss using them on China means nothing. Thank God, the people running this war are smarter than that.

I agree, in part,with you about the immorality of the war LBJ won`t let us win. But the biggest "immorality" was the gutless non support of the American people. I know what it was like to read about the constant criticism of the war by idiots back home that didn`t have a clue. Wonder what the guys/gals in Afganistan think when they read on these pages that we are really losing and they haven`t accomplished anything.

[ladyinred]

This possibility has been spoken of before therefore there must be continuing intelligence that they intend to do something like this. We must all be very much aware of our surroundings at all times. It is hard to do, the world seems the same out there, but it is not.