Tom_Turner
2010-02-11, 08:31 PM
Penny wise, security foolish: Pulling elite Coast Guard unit out puts city at risk
Wednesday, February 10th 2010
On Sept. 11, 2001, when planes slammed into the twin towers in lower Manhattan, the nearest jet fighters were sitting on the ground at Otis air base, near Boston. Now, if Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano gets her way, an elite Coast Guard unit formed after 9/11 to protect New York Harbor will soon be moved to ... Boston.
Sen. Chuck Schumer has vowed that this will not happen. He must win this fight.
Under President Obama's cost-cutting budget proposed last week, the six boats in the city's Maritime Safety and Security Team will be transferred to Massachusetts and its complement of 90 personnel dispersed across the country.
No more terror-related surveillance here by the feds. No more boarding suspicious vessels. No more patrolling critical structures like bridges known to be terrorist targets. No more escorting hazardous cargoes safely to port.
And in case of emergency, under the new plan, when New York needs a maritime anti-terror team, boats will be transported south by plane or truck.
Good luck getting here in time.
Some deterrent. Some protection.
Some stupid idea.
Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/opinions/201 ... z0fHFkC320 (http://www.nydailynews.com/opinions/2010/02/10/2010-02-10_penny_wise_security_foolish.html#ixzz0fHFkC320)
Wednesday, February 10th 2010
On Sept. 11, 2001, when planes slammed into the twin towers in lower Manhattan, the nearest jet fighters were sitting on the ground at Otis air base, near Boston. Now, if Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano gets her way, an elite Coast Guard unit formed after 9/11 to protect New York Harbor will soon be moved to ... Boston.
Sen. Chuck Schumer has vowed that this will not happen. He must win this fight.
Under President Obama's cost-cutting budget proposed last week, the six boats in the city's Maritime Safety and Security Team will be transferred to Massachusetts and its complement of 90 personnel dispersed across the country.
No more terror-related surveillance here by the feds. No more boarding suspicious vessels. No more patrolling critical structures like bridges known to be terrorist targets. No more escorting hazardous cargoes safely to port.
And in case of emergency, under the new plan, when New York needs a maritime anti-terror team, boats will be transported south by plane or truck.
Good luck getting here in time.
Some deterrent. Some protection.
Some stupid idea.
Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/opinions/201 ... z0fHFkC320 (http://www.nydailynews.com/opinions/2010/02/10/2010-02-10_penny_wise_security_foolish.html#ixzz0fHFkC320)