IN THE WAKE OF THE LONDON ATTACKS:

WEINER DETAILS MASS TRANSIT SECURITY PLAN

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SIX STEPS FOR SAFER SUBWAYS

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WEINER: REAL SECURITY DEMANDS A PROACTIVE APPROACH

New York City – In the wake of the deadly terrorist attacks in London, Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-Queens & Brooklyn) today detailed his mass transit security plan, including six immediate steps the City should take to secure our subways.

WEINER’S SIX STEPS FOR SAFER SUBWAYS:

More Transit Cops on the Beat — Since its peak in 2000 of more than 40,000 officers, the size of the NYPD has dropped to less than 35,000 – a 13% drop. As Mayor, Weiner will put more transit cops on the beat by returning the force to the 2000 level, and by fighting for funding for the federal Community Oriented Policing Services or C.O.P.S program, which has put more than 7,000 police on New York City streets. Weiner is the House sponsor of C.O.P.S.

Federal Funding for “T-COPS” — Currently, the NYPD has 1,000 “Terrorism Cops” on the beat – meaning they are exclusively devoted to gathering intelligence and thwarting terrorism. That’s a federal responsibility, so federal funding should be used to cover the costs of hiring those officers. Last year, Weiner included language in the 9/11 Commission recommendation bill to provide federal funding, but it got stripped out of the bill by House Republicans. As Mayor, Weiner will fight for the funding.

Bring Emergency Cell Phone Service to the Subways – Other world class cities like Washington, Berlin, Moscow, Hong Kong and Paris already provide wireless service to transit riders, but New York has no such plan. Weiner would initiate a program to bring emergency 9-1-1 cell phone service to subway platforms at an estimated cost of $200,000 per platform and would leverage New York City buying power to push wireless companies to do the work at no cost to the public.

Expanded Digital Surveillance Cameras – In June, the MTA announced that nine subway stops had been equipped with 120 digital cameras, covering all entrances, exits and stairwells. As Mayor, Weiner will expand this initiative to every subway stop in the City.

Strengthen Security on Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor — Last year, the United States spent $4.4 billion on aviation security, but only $115 million on rail and transit security, even though five times as many people take trains as planes every day. In Congress, Weiner is a sponsor of the Rail Security Act of 2005, legislation providing $597 million to Amtrak to make life saving improvements to tunnels on the Northeast Corridor extending from New York to Washington, D.C. As Mayor, Weiner will fight for this funding.

Build Transit Redundancy with High Speed Ferries – A substantial terror strike against our subways could have crippling long term effects on our region’s commerce, and grind to a halt those who rely on the subways to travel to and from work. As Mayor, Weiner will build necessary redundancy into the City’s transit system by expanding high speed ferry service to all five boroughs. In Congress, Weiner has secured $15 million to purchase fast ferries for the City.

“Yesterday’s terrible attacks serve as what should be an unnecessary reminder that in post-9/11 New York, safety and security are job 1,” said Rep. Weiner. “And we know that we are kept safe when our leaders take an active approach to security – and that passivity leaves us vulnerable. As Mayor I’ll bring an aggressive, proactive approach to securing our entire city, including our subways.”