Security precaution hits subways: Is it too much?

[kayell]

http://csmonitor.com/2004/0610/p03s01-usju.html

Boston is the first city to plan random searches of commuters, spurring questions over civil liberties.

By Elizabeth Armstrong and Noel C. Paul | Staff writers of The Christian Science Monitor

BOSTON – After Sept. 11, long lines and detailed security checks at airports marked Americans most direct experience with the "new normal." But in the aftermath of the Madrid train bombings in March, US law enforcement once again is broadening its presence at one of the most basic levels of American life - the nation's railways and subways.

This week Massachusetts transportation officials announced they would begin to randomly inspect passengers' bags and packages on subway and commuter trains.


The permanent inspection policy is the first in the nation. Officials say it will be in place by late July, in time for the Democratic Convention, when highway closures will lead thousands more commuters to the city's rail system.

The move comes as the federal government has begun to test passenger and baggage-screening equipment similar to those used in airports at some train stations.

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[Lavender Brown]

1. I don't see how bag inspections on subways are even possible

It would be utter chaos here in New York.

[AndyTiedye]

2. The Stations Are Much Smaller in Boston

There isn't any room in many of them to back people up for searches.

[suedehead-nyc]

4. completely impossable

i cant even begin to picture this. would be a complete mess.

[Lavender Brown]

6. Welcome to DU suedehead

:hi:

[Bandit]

3. The fourth Ammendment to the US Constitution

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

[sofa king]

5. Having once been a long-haired humanoid,

I can tell you that "random" searches are anything but. Throughout the 1990s, I was "randomly selected" for a search every single time I returned to the United States. Interestingly enough, it appears as if my name stuck in some nationwide computer database, because I continued to be flagged on most of my domestic flights for at least a year after I cut my hair. Then, somehow, I became less suspect and I haven't been "randomly selected" since.

However, I do miss being shadowed by one or two plainclothes security people while I traveled the rabbit warren of tunnels underneath the Capitol, which happened often. I used to say that I was the best protected person on the Hill. Plus, it was always fun losing the shadows and then nonchalantly following them myself. That visibly pissed 'em off, but they wouldn't do anything, I suppose because they might get in trouble if anyone found out I had marked 'em.

"Random" is a horseshit euphemism for "deliberate based solely upon the prejudices of the observer." It's only going to take one lunatic in a Semtex-packed body suit passing as a fat-arsed midwestern tourist to shitcan this scheme for good.

[eridani]

7. No matter what they do, subways are dangerous

Last year, a single lone whackjob in Korea (not attached to any known group, just nuts) lit off a small can of gasoline in a subway and killed more than 130 people.

We could probably prevent 9 out of 10 of these occurrences, but that tenth one is probably going to be a real doozy.