In view of the significant role that close circuit cameras and other security monitoring devices played in identifying and nabbing the Boston blasts suspects, the New York is planning to install more such devices throughout the city, its officials said today.
In fact on sensitive and busy places like Times Square, the New York Police Department is moving to install more mobile cameras so as to keep a tab on every individual that come there and identify and nab in case of suspicious behavior.
"We have said that we are moving to expand the number of mobile cameras that we have, but that's going to be a ways off. We have some, but a relatively small number. So, we'll have a lot of people covering that route. We have some kind of terrorism resources that we use," New York Police Commissioner Ray Kelly told reporters at a crowded news conference.
"We have a vehicle that takes pictures, 360-degree pictures, that we use on a route of major events. We'll be continuing to do that sort of thing. We have our sky watchers that give you an elevated view. We have if we need it, license plate readers, that sort of thing. We would deploy them," Kelly said in response to a question.
After the Mumbai terrorist attack, the New York Police Department had installed a large number of security cameras across the city. This was in addition to the special training given to the city security forces.
The New York Mayor, Michael Bloomberg, told reporters that the city has extensive networks of cameras that are part of its security initiative to help police identify suspicious movements, such as packages left unintended on the streets.
"The role surveillance cameras played identifying the suspects was absolutely essential to saving lives, both in Boston, and now we know here in New York City, as well. We've made major investments in camera technology, notwithstanding the objections of some special interests, and the attacks in Boston demonstrate just how valuable those cameras can be. We've been able to make these investments and many others with the support from the federal government," Bloomberg said.
However, both Kelly and Bloomberg conceded that despite so much effort there is no guarantee to prevent any attack.
"You know, we have a lot of presence there and resources there, but there are no guarantees," Kelly said.
"We spend every dime we think we can spend to get a real value, and we train our people continuously, and we monitor what goes on around the world for best practices and what the terrorists might be doing. But there are no guarantees," Bloomberg said.
"All we can do is do everything that we can, and that's exactly what we're doing. The public has a right to expect us to keep them safe to the extent humanly possible, and that's exactly what we're doing," he said.
