Freedom isn’t free

Cops with automatic weapons and bomb-sniffing dogs will patrol Amtrak trains and randomly search carry-on bags in a dramatic tightening of security to be announced today.

Although some riders were unhappy with the idea of guns on the trains, most welcomed the new security plan.

“I think it’s good,” said Yvette Davis, 23, an assistant shoe store manager from the Bronx, while waiting for a train in Penn Station. “You can never be too protective, especially with some of these crazy people.”

“I think it’s great,” said Manhattan software salesman Dan Hurley, 39. “I’ve often wondered why there is so little security on trains. They could do as much damage as a plane.”

April Holder, 30, from Manhattan, said only, “Just don’t make us late. New Yorkers hate being late.”

Amtrak officials insist the security ramp-up won’t make anyone late.

“We’re very conscious of the fact that you’re in an environment where commuters have minutes to go from train to train,” said Bill Rooney, vice president for security strategy and special operations.

[...]

Amtrak’s new “mobile security teams” will go into action soon on the Northeast Corridor between Washington and Boston, the railroad’s most heavily used route.

Later they’ll be expanded to the rest of the country.

Sen. Chuck Schumer hailed the beefed-up security as “a strong step toward making the highly vulnerable rail system more secure,” but also said it should be done “in a way that won’t increase lines and wait times.”

Amtrak chief Alex Kummant insisted riders will hardly notice the change.

Passengers won’t have to arrive at stations far in advance, and those selected randomly for screening will be delayed no more than a couple of minutes, he said.

He said security teams will show up unannounced at stations and set up baggage screening areas in front of boarding gates.

Officers will randomly pull people out of line and wipe their bags with a special swab that is put through a machine that detects explosives.

If the machine detects anything, officers will open the bag for inspection.

Anyone who is selected for screening and refuses will not be allowed to board and their ticket will be refunded.

Pheew, I was worried this was a violation of my 4th Amendment rights until I read about the refund. Freedom isn’t free, but it is refundable.

p.s. Thanks Senator Schumer, you dope.

Posted by Kevin K. on 02/19/08 at 08:29 AM • Permalink

Categories: New York City • News • Politics • Bedwetters •

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“The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures , shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue , but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.”

In a City that prides itself on civic recidivism (think Thomas Paine, John DeLury or Abbie Hoffman), the man on the street comments are a wee disconcerting. It makes me think that amalgamation that is New York City is losing some of that famous recalcitrance. It has been replaced with a nice bit of compliant clockwatching.

Comment by Mark S. on 02/19/08 at 11:55 AM

Shit. I am always the one screened. Which means I am not going to be at the front of the line, which means I am not going to get my first seat choice. Which means I am going to have to sit next to the fat drunk guy again on the train to Spazmo’s, every effin’ time I go to Baltimore. It’s when he switches from wine to gin that things get really messy.