By Joseph M. Calisi Copyright 2010 All Rights Reserved
New York, NY (July 1, 2010) – If you’re law enforcement you can get away with stealing something – well not really. The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority for the last several years has used the slogan "If You See Something, Say Something" in the post 9/11 world. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano announced in a press conference that the MTA’s slogan that was first used in 2002, will appear nationwide in an Amtrak poster campaign. It is all part of a nationwide ‘Suspicious Activity Reporting’ (SAR) initiative as part of the Obama Administration’s commitment to bolster surface transportation security.
The Penn Station security campaign kick-off is all part of a national cooperative effort among law enforcement to boost security using the general public as its eyes and ears. Out of more than $44 million spent by DHS since 2006, $13 million has been used on this public safety and security awareness campaign. It appears to be a further relationship-building beyond the TSA/NYPD VIPR (Visual Intermodal Prevention and Response) teams for random mobile screening of passengers performed similarly in airports and other transportation venues around the country.
Napolitano made subsequent stops on the Northeast Corridor (NEC) at Newark Penn Station, Philadelphia 30th Street Station and Washington DC’s Union Station after immediately departing New York by Amtrak. The NEC is the nation’s busiest passenger rail line.
"These efforts mature over time and the threats evolve over time," Napolitano said. "And we think today's announcement is a big step forward in making the public even more aware than they are. All play a critical role in increasing awareness and improving preparedness.” She added that it was a very successful public campaign. With the MTA’s permission, the same trademarked slogan is being used in fifty other cities around the U.S.
Amtrak Police Chief John O’Connor said, “The Suspicious Activity Reporting Initiative establishes a unified approach at all levels of government to gather, document, process, analyze and most importantly share information about terrorism-related suspicious activities. The Amtrak Police Department is pleased to become part of this network of law enforcement agencies and we look forward to working closely with federal, state and local authorities.” Amtrak officers will also use an upgraded TSA reporting system to pass along reports to the FBI and DHs for further analysis.
The DHS will work with Amtrak and the Department Of Justice (DOJ) to expand the SAR effort to regional and freight railways in addition to mass transit agencies.
It is unclear how this affects railfans – those that photograph railroads as a hobby. While the reporting system doesn’t focus on ethnicity or gender, hobbyists could be confused with terrorist activity. While the DOJ National SAR Initiative (NSI) program has a rigorous policy and civil liberties guidelines built into it, it is entirely possible that a hobbyist or journalist could wind up in front of an FBI agent to answer questions fore a harmless activity.
In addition to the announcement, Ms. Napolitano, swore in John Pistole as Transportation Security Administration (TSA) administrator in a public ceremony. Pistole, the former deputy FBI director, was confirmed by the Senate last week. He said "see something, say something" was a good way to engage the public in the security effort.
"Any efforts that they make throughout the country I think are helpful to us here in New York City," said Police Commissioner Ray Kelly. "Cause, as we've seen, threats develop, bombs are built, in places away from New York City." The recent Times Square bomb plot was uncovered after a street vendor saw a passenger-less SUV with its engine running that was smoking and had its blinkers on. He then the hero vendor notified the NYPD.
The NYPD graduated a new class of 103 police officers later that afternoon. They’ll be assigned to transit duties, thanks to an earlier federal grant.
MTA Chairman Jay Walder said, "…I know security is a team effort and we have the City and State to protect. ‘See Something, Say Something’ has been a key part of the plan to keep people safe. The Times Square bombing attempt underscores the slogan’s success and must be a vital part of keeping transit and The City safe. We want our customers to feel comfortable riding our trains and buses again. At the same time, we are making the public the eyes and ears of our transit system.”
MTA spokesman Kevin Ortiz said the simplicity of the message seems to convey in a very succinct manner. "It's right to the point, it's engaged the public in serving as the eyes and ears of our system."
Amtrak travelers will see an increased use of unannounced bomb-sniffing dogs and officers performing ID checks with random bag during the holiday weekend and beyond.
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano (coral jacket) speaks with NYPD Commissioner Kelly (front right), MTA Chairman Walder (Rear right) before departing from NY Penn Station on an Amtrak train after the press conference for Newark Penn Station and points south on July 1, 2010.
Amtrak Police Sergeant Smith and his K-9 dog 'inspect' Jennifer Uppold's bags for dangerous materials as part of the security sweep.
