The New Yorker this week has a fantastic article by William Finnegan titled “The Terrorism Beat” about how the NYPD is defending our fair city, with or without the help of the Federal government. Believe it or not, it makes you feel a lot better about our city’s security (all things considered). I’m 100% voting for Bloomberg, if only to ensure that Ray Kelly stays commissioner. Here is just one snipit from the article, in reference to the way the NYPD has transformed post 9/11:
Some of Kelly’s initatives were incursions into territory normally occupied by the FBI and the CIA. And yet few objections were raised. It was as if the Feds, reeling from September 11th, silently acknowledged New York’s right to take extraordinary defensive measures. Or, as one senior police official said to me, “Do you think anybody in Washington has the balls to tell Ray Kelly he can’t do something he decides to do?”
I created a PDF of the aritcle but its over 15 MB so if you want to read it (its not available online) leave a comment or send me an email and I’ll mail you a copy. Hell, I’ll even pay the postage, that’s how good the article is – if you live in NY you should read it. ‘Nuff said.
2 thoughts on “New York Protects Its Own”
MORE:
I found the passage below interesting. Its from a Q&A with the author of this article found on the New Yorker’s web site and its in response to the question, “How do anti-terrorism measures change New York for those who live here?”
For the most part, the N.Y.P.D. has gone about its counterterrorism work quietly, without alarming the public. Since spreading alarm is one of the main aims of terrorism, this is a key point. I find the N.Y.P.D.’s seriousness impressive. The contrast with the federal government’s performance since September 11th could hardly be more stark. For politicians in office during a time of terror, there is an obvious temptation to hype the threat, to practice the politics of fear. Some, like Bloomberg, have resisted the temptation. The Bush Administration has not.
That said, life in New York City has developed a more surveilled, paranoid, almost militarized tenor than it had before 9/11, and a good amount of that can be put down to the police, I think, and to programs like Hercules. Some people, I gather, find the sight of police teams in body armor and combat helmets, carrying assault rifles, comforting. I don’t. There’s an element of theatre to a lot of counterterror work, and it’s not particularly edifying theatre. It’s endless vigilance, no victory. Success means nothing happens. Such anti-drama is, of course, the essence of prevention
The full interview can be found here:
http://www.newyorker.com/printables/online/050725on_onlineonly01
I just wanted to say that I was overwhelmed by the response this post generated and I’m thrilled to have been in touch with so many interesting people, all of whom care as much about this great city’s protection as I do.