Police Want Tight Security Zone at Ground Zero in NYC

by Amy Judd | August 12, 2008 at 03:47 pm

608 views | 17 Recommendations | 21 comments

The memorial at the World Trade Center is not going to be what some thought it would be. It was envisioned to have distinctive buildings, holding shops and places for people to sit and take in the surroundings, but the latest police proposals are envisioning a different kind of neighbourhood for the once vibrant business district.

According to a 36-page presentation given by top-ranking police officials in recent months, the entire area would be placed within a security zone, in which only specially screened taxis, limousines and cars would be allowed through “sally ports,” or barriers staffed by police officers, constructed at each of five entry points.

Roughly a dozen guard booths would be established at street corners where pedestrians or vehicles are most likely to enter the area, while the western lanes of Church Street would be reserved for emergency vehicles.

All service and delivery trucks for the trade center site would be directed to an underground bomb screening center at the south side of the complex. Tour buses would drop off and pick up passengers at Liberty and Greenwich Streets. But no bus would be summoned from the underground security center and garage until all the passengers are present, a requirement that could leave large clots of tourists waiting for stragglers.

The plan is designed to prevent a third terrorist attack on the site, said Paul J. Browne, deputy police commissioner for public information, and, he said, would have little effect on either traffic or pedestrians. It is among the more striking features of the Police Department’s overall plan for Manhattan security, which also includes measures to photograph every vehicle entering Manhattan, and scan its license plate, and then keep the information on file for at least a month. The department hopes to have the plan in place by 2010, by the time Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg leaves office.

Public officals and urban planners are worried that these restrictions will discourage corporate tenants from renting space or shoppers from going there to shop.
A heavy police presence is also not something that the city wants in their streets, but they might not have a choice.

The security zone would extend west from Church Street, between Vesey and Liberty Streets, and include portions of several adjacent blocks.

Mr. Browne, addressing criticism that the security plan would undermine a normal commercial and cultural life in the neighborhood, said, “I think this will reassure people that this is probably the safest business environment anywhere.”

What do you think about these measures?

0 See all footage | View Slideshow

Share: email story | add to any | | facebook | stumbleupon

recommend This comment thread is now closed

generaldecay

flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 00:29 on August 13th, 2008

amyjudd, I think that if the shrine to all those who lost their lives is to be restricted, there's very little point in having it at all.

Paschen

flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 01:57 on August 13th, 2008

joelhaasnoot

at 04:28 on August 13th, 2008

One of the only ways to get a good shot of the ongoing work: from the Burger King across the street

joelhaasnoot has contributed a photo to this story.

Sarah&Milly

at 04:46 on August 13th, 2008

Can i point out that the photo posted by Sarah&Milly isnt ground zero NY, but Leeds Uk. Many thanks

urnso77

at 05:09 on August 13th, 2008

Everyone at the site was very respectful

urnso77 has contributed a photo to this story.

anesium

at 05:16 on August 13th, 2008

This image is from the 52nd flood of the new 7wtc. It was taken with a Nikon D40.

anesium has contributed a photo to this story.

lornagrl

at 05:36 on August 13th, 2008

This photo was taken in an express bus on my way to work.

lornagrl has contributed a photo to this story.

DaRkLnA

at 05:47 on August 13th, 2008

Ground Zero @ August 2oo8, Il est difficile d'imaginer que deux tours ont était à cette emplacement. It's difficult to imagine!

DaRkLnA has contributed a photo to this story.

DaRkLnA

at 05:48 on August 13th, 2008

The place is Emotional!

Emilio Lizardo

flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 05:48 on August 13th, 2008

amyjudd, I like this story. It's good stuff.

These brilliant and patriotic moves by the NYPD are to be commended!

I am so inspired by this initiative that I am personally taking steps to have video monitoring installed both in my bathroom and bedroom, directly wired to the Department of Homeland Security's real-time video analysis systems. This way if I ever find myself under terrorist attack while in either of those two rooms, they'll know about it almost before I do !

I just want to feel safe!! Why don't I feel safe ??

ninjaries

at 06:21 on August 13th, 2008

Perhaps I just don't understand. Why heighten security over what's now a construction site. A third terrorist attack? Seriously? It's just a few cranes and i-beams, why would any terrorist want to attack it now? If it's just a political move to make people feel "safe," then fine, knock yourselves out; it's not like anyone's ever gotten re-elected/appointed for being fiscally responsible anyways. While they're at it they should just randomly scatter guard booths across the city and bomb screeners that double as choke points because traffic really just flows much too quickly.

All we'll need is CCTV and Manhattan will be a police state like London. puuuuh

eireannj

at 07:38 on August 13th, 2008

FYI - My photos were taken from the 52nd floor of the Millennium Hotel.

t_majic.1006

at 09:28 on August 13th, 2008

I am always surprised every time I go back how much harder it is to get in close and take a look. The shot I took is a result of me being told (not asked, told) where I had to move and how quickly I had to go. It is sad the it seems that security and the overwhelming need for people to be able to share in the tragedies and triumphs of these attacks can not co-exist.

Gooneramaaa

at 10:10 on August 13th, 2008

Gooneramaaa has contributed a photo to this story.

axiom65

at 11:54 on August 13th, 2008

It's tough to get a good vantage point of Ground Zero now. But the crowds are still there. Seems to be a great need for people to witness the scene of such a devastating attack on this country.

axiom65 has contributed a photo to this story.

wayne.preston74

at 12:26 on August 13th, 2008

The Cross (Wayne Preston 2002).
This photo was taken on a visit to ground zero, NYC.
I was facinated that this was one of the last orignal pieces of structure left at ground zero.
I am saddened that this as now been removed from the site and feel that maybe it should have been left as a symbol of hope, rising from a day of such tragic circumstances.
wayneprestonphotography.co.uk

wayne.preston74 has contributed a photo to this story.

laurenallison

at 18:05 on August 13th, 2008

Captured this picture while being ushered away from the site, police kept foot traffic moving pretty quickly in this area not much room to stop and take it in just yet.

laurenallison has contributed a photo to this story.

merymeti2

at 23:59 on August 13th, 2008

July 2008 - 7 year later, we understand why they call it ground Zero!

merymeti2 has contributed a photo to this story.

imkelster

at 02:26 on August 15th, 2008

imkelster has contributed a photo to this story.

WildCat Designs

at 13:33 on August 15th, 2008

I was privileged to get an insider's tour round the site, which at the moment, is mostly not accessible to the general public due to the building work going on.

WildCat Designs has contributed a photo to this story.

Brian Singer-Towns

at 03:26 on August 17th, 2008

Whn visiting New York I was expecting to visit Ground Zero and find a place to reverently pay my respects and meditate. Instead I had to settle for a look through screens at a public crosswalk. I hope when the project is finished there truly is a public memorial with easy access.

Brian Singer-Towns has contributed a photo to this story.