Jun 30, 2007 7:15 am US/Eastern
Kelly: London Bomb Plot Similar To '04 NYC Plot
Extra Police Officers Patrol Tourist Sites, Public Transportation Stations
by Chris Wragge
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
More police officers patrolling the streets, checking subway stations, and keeping a closer eye on popular tourist sites like Times Square are all precautions being taken after the discovery by British officials of a car bomb waiting to be detonated outside a London nightclub Friday night.
The added security comes because the London plot bears similarities to a plot to bomb key New York financial institutions.
"There is a similarity in the plans developed in the al Hindi case and what apparently happened this morning in London," NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly said on Friday.
Kelly is drawing a parallel between the propane-packed car found in London and a 2004 plot to use vehicles packed with explosives to blow up the New York Stock Exchange and the Citigroup Headquarters.
The mastermind, Abu Esa al Hindi -- also known as Dhiren Barot -- has been described by U.S. officials as the chief Al Qaeda operative in Great Britain.
"We hope to get ongoing information from the British authorities," Kelly said.
While Kelly said there is no immediate threat to New York or any absolute link between the two cases at this time, he is taking no chances and ramping up the city's already tight security.
"We've increased the deployment of critical response vehicles focusing on tourist sites, Times Square, Herald Square, and the Theater District," he said.
Subways will naturally receive extra protection and there will be more car and truck stops at bridges and tunnels. As part of the security uptick, police officers will also be combing parking garages in search of suspicious vehicles such as cars parked for extended periods of time or vehicles that are leaking.
Kelly said he continues to monitor the London situation closely. Fortunately, the head of the city's Joint Terrorism Task Force was in London for a conference and is in close contact with Scotland Yard.
New Yorkers are already used to extra security, and in light of these events in London, many understand an increase in precautionary measures is expected.
"All of these agencies are doing what they do best – protecting us," said Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
Security experts say the city is well equipped to deal with a potential threat, and Bloomberg has made it clear that New Yorkers need to continue to live their lives, especially in light of the upcoming July 4th holiday.
"This weekend is a reminder that this country was founded on freedoms," Bloomberg said.
The Mayor was quick Friday morning to remind New Yorkers to be "vigilant," suggesting that terrorism can occur anywhere.
"I'm not concerned, I know New York has the best security anywhere," said a New Yorker in Times Square. "We just can't let the terrorists keep us from running our daily lives."
Experts say situations like the one in London raises red flags that strengthens national and local security.
"When they have a situation like this, they can get the manpower out. They can make it be known that they have a presence. They can make it be known that people can call into the police department and give information," said security expert Robert Strang.
Still, the attitude of a vast majority of New Yorkers feel that the city is safe, and that no terrorist threat will keep people from living their lives.
"We're in America, we're going to be Amercians, we're going to do as Americans do, and we're in a free country and we're going to act accordingly," said one New Yorker.
The ranking member of the Homeland Security Committee, Long Island Congressman Peter King, is confident New York is safe. "So far there's nothing to link the attempted attack in London to an attack in New York," he said. "Though the modus operandi were similar to the attack planned for New York several years ago, but because of extreme caution, [NYPD] Commissioner [Ray] Kelly is reacting to that."
Officials say the bottom line remains the same as always: If you see something, say something.
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