Ridge Announces New DHS Procedures
This is CNN:Calling the March 11 Madrid bombings "a solemn reminder that terrorists continue to exploit our vulnerabilities," Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge announced a series of initiatives to improve train and subway security Monday.
"While there are no indications that terrorists are planning similar attacks in the United States in the near term, we have asked train and rail operators in the country to be on a heightened state of alert," Ridge told reporters.
Calling U.S. transit systems "among the safest in the world," Ridge said security had already been beefed up on the nation's trains since the terror attacks of September 11, 2001, at a cost of some $1.7 billion in government and commuter dollars.
DHS will develop a rapid deployment mass transit canine program trained to search for explosives in rail tunnels, and will implement this spring a pilot program to test the feasibility of screening luggage and carry-on bags, he said.
Ridge said the new initiatives would not require new funding. "We think, based on the initiatives that we've announced today, that we can absorb that cost."
Matt's Chat
Another checkmark on the list...now let's get it done and get working on the next issue: port security.Mark's Remarks
I concur. Let's not get bogged down by defending the work from lies from idiotic lefties like Kerry and Co., aka the Partisan Media. Let's get it done.
