March 19, 2003

NYC Officials Fear Terrorist Takeover of TV Outlets

The New York Police Department has stepped up security outside major television news outlets in Manhattan to prevent possible takeovers by terrorists who may want to broadcast anti-American messages.
[...]

New York's 36,500-officer police department, the nation's largest, began formulating the sweeping Operation Atlas security plan as war with Iraq grew more certain in recent weeks. The plan arose from fears that the city could become a target for retaliation by terrorists.

The operation, which could cost more than $5 million a week, is "the most comprehensive terror prevention program our city has implemented," Mayor Michael Bloomberg said.
[...]As part of Operation Atlas, police officials are deploying special patrols to guard television stations clustered in midtown Manhattan and elsewhere.

The step was not prompted by a specific threat or intelligence, police said. But counterterrorism experts and broadcast executives have viewed television news studios as potential targets since the Sept. 11 attack.

Well, warbloggers, if the NY nerve centers of the TV news networks were attacked (God forbid!), the world would really be dependent on us!
Islamofascists, if you harm Fox and Friends, you'll have to answer to me!