Couldn't resist...
Posted on 06/20/2002 9:21:03 AM PDT by 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.
I recommend at the very least carrying a disposable camera, or pen and paper to record license plates. If they can abuse our freedoms, I can certainly utilize mine.
Unfortunately, I cannot yet afford to move away from this area. For the time being, I am stuck close enough that an explosion there may shatter my windows...Unfortunately, again, I just can't think of any sane reason these folks are video-taping and taking still shots of non-scenic views, which happen to include a federal courthouse....and, the men bring their families (women and children) with them in this task.
For what it's worth, FYI.
Sheesh, are people really that dumb?? If he was suspicious if they wanted to pay cash, he should have said FINE, but I need to prep the car and you can pick it up in the morning. In the meantime, contact the FBI and have them there to greet the new car buyers.
Well, kinda. He should have said he'd gladly accept cash but that he needed to prep the vehicle (or some believable stalling excuse), then contact the FBI and tell them to be there to greet the potential terrorists. It would have been nice to interrogate them.
Who would think to challenge an emergency vehicle - on the fourth of July?
I think I hear some mind juices flowing, and some lobes blinking...
True...perhaps he got a license plate number and the cops just didn't want to give that info out to the press out of concern for the safety of this good samaritan.
FReegards...MUD
Good for the shop owner, for being on the ball like that. Shame he didn't have a gun, or a tazer, or a can of Mace...such is life in Leftopia.
Good idea. Please send it to Bush/Ridge/Ashcroft.
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