NYPD Steps Up Security In Response To Unverified Dirty Bomb Threat

[nivi]

http://www.ny1.com/ny1/content/index.jsp?stid=1&aid=72544

New York City authorities deployed extra police, fire and EMT teams around the city Friday night in response to an unsubstantiated terrorism threat involving a truck packed with radioactive material.

City officials stressed that the threat is unconfirmed and that the city's terror alert status remained unchanged.

Reports say the heightened security was prompted by a report on an Israeli website of electronic chatter between al Qaeda operatives.

As part of the heightened anti-terrorism stance, the NYPD late Friday night established a series of checkpoints in Lower Manhattan and at other Manhattan entry points, where officers were checking cars and trucks and questioning drivers.

Authorities said they were also mobilizing a battery of radiological sensors, including vehicular and helicopter-mounted devices.

"Earlier this evening, the NYPD began taking several public precautionary measures visible to New Yorkers to guard against an unverified threat that was found on the Internet," Mayor Michael Bloomberg said in a statement Friday night. "As New Yorkers, we have gone about our lives even with the daily threat level at 'orange' every day since September 11, 2001. That threat level has not changed because of this unverified threat, and we shouldn't let anyone terrorize us by spreading fear."

The New York Times reported early Monday morning that the NYPD had learned of the threat from an Israeli website, debka.com, which alleged that monitors had intercepted electronic chatter suggesting that al Qaeda was planning a radioactive truck attack on American targets that included New York, Los Angeles and Miami.

The website claimed the al Qaeda communications accused Americans of failing to take seriously a videotape released last week by American-born al Qaeda member Adam Gadahn, in which Gadahn vowed a new wave of attacks on Americans at home and abroad.

Gadahn, a native Californian, has been wanted by the FBI on treason charges since 2004. He claims he was behind a car bomb strike that killed an American diplomat last year in Pakistan.

Federal authorities said there was no evidence that New York City is in any danger.

"We are closely monitoring the situation," said Homeland Security Department spokesman Russ Knocke. "There continues to be no credible information telling us that there's a threat to the homeland at this time."

Can I just say, HAHAHAHA!

Oh man, the site they are referring to, is an Israeli site run by 2 weirdos, in hebrew and english, which claims massive "intelligence sources", in reality it is based on others publications, hugh speculation and just downright lies. It is about as close you can get to a conspiracy site without crossing the line, in fact, it is so bad that other conspiracy sites, americans ones, claim it is run by the mossad. I have even seem someone here use it as a legitimate source.

This site is a well know joke amond Israeli inteligence forces, but it manages to fool many people

One of their better known stunts was that Iran is going to attack everyone on (IIRC) september 23, becuase that was some major even in Islam (IIRC), others include: Saddam wasn't captured, he was already a prisoners in that little rat hole, and reports that America/Iran are going to attack eachother every sunday and friday.

 

[_Philospher_]

Ah, well it is a sign of the times, I guess. We all are a bit jumpy, even at the smallest of threats. It's good to know homeland security is at least alert even if they are not exactly spot-on. I just hope homeland security does not distract itself with pointless threats and neglects the real ones.

 

[The Yankee]

When was the last time DHS was alert, except when Chertoff had gas? This was the NYPD acting.

 

[bhsup]

"Gadahn, a native Californian..."

You guys really should quit winning the World Series so often. It's probably a jealousy thing.