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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 1, 2004

SCHUMER: WESTCHESTER RAIL SECURITY NEEDS TO BE TIGHTENED - MADRID BOMBING SHOULD SERVE AS WARNING

Senator: Feds have been focusing on air security but now must make rail security a priority; In wake of threats to rail transportation, major commuter rails traveling to and from New York City could be vulnerable

Schumer Senator unveiling major new legislation this week that would have Feds pay for additional patrols and develop anti-explosive detection devices for trains

This year's attack on a Madrid train coupled with highly publicized threats to US rail safety should serve as a wake-up call to the federal government to tighten security at Westchester train stations, US Senator Charles E. Schumer warned today. With theUS Department of Homeland Security (DHS) having issued a bulletin advising state officials, police, transit and rail agencies to be vigilant to a possible threat to rail safety in the US, commuter rails that travel to and from New York City will require significant upgrades to patrol the station as the election approaches.

"In Madrid, they are calling this year's terror attacks 'Spain's 9/11' - and that's right on the money on several levels," Schumer said. "In a certain way, Spain's innocence about international terrorism was shattered much like ours was in 2001. The 9/11 attack was a wake-up call that we had to do a lot more to protect ourselves in the skies. Now after the Madrid attack, the alarm bells are ringing louder than ever saying we have to do a lot more to protect ourselves on the trains. We need to finally heed that call, and that means securing Westchester's train stations, its platforms, tunnels, and trains."

Earlier this year, US Department of Homeland Security officials issued a bulletin advising state officials, police, transit and rail agencies to be vigilant in light of the bombings in Spain. Despite the fact that federal officials have warned about the potential for an attack close to the upcoming elections, there have been no indications from Washington that new funds will be made available to pay for additional patrols.

In Westchester, local police departments and the Metropolitan Transit Authority police are responsible for security at commuter rail stations and have put a number of measures in place to improve security since September 11, 2001, including increasing the size of its force by 200 officers since 9/11 - an increase of more than 25%. Roughly two years ago, the MTA launched a $600 million investment program to make its train, bus and subway system more secure. This week, the MTA board of directors approved an additional $500 million in security projects over the next five years as part of its five-year capital program.

Locally, Westchester municipalities have spent considerable resources beefing up their spending on train station security. The City of New Rochelle, for example, has bolstered training of its police and fire officers in responding to disasters such as terrorism. Its forces are second responders to disasters in New York City, and the New Rochelle train station is in close proximity to Interstate 95, making a terrorism strike there potentially doubly disastrous. During the three days of the Republican National Convention in August, for example, New Rochelle assigned three police officers at all times to patrol the train station platform and observe passengers heading to New York City.

In addition, Westchester County has tried to educate residents about terrorism through its website, www.westchestergov.com, <http://www.westchestergov.com,/> which discusses how to identify potential threats and what to do about them on its public safety homepage. The Westchester County Basic Recruit School for new police officers added counter-terrorism, weapons of mass destruction and first responder medical training to its curriculum this year. The County Fire Training Center had already added similar training for firefighters and emergency services personnel.

To help local law enforcement in these attempts to bolster rail security, Schumer today called on the Federal government to provide additional resources to the Lower Hudson Valley and other areas at risk of terror attacks to pay for additional police and National Guard members to patrol station platforms and train tunnels looking for suspicious packages and activities. "If the feds are putting localities like Westchester County on notice that they need to up their patrols because of national and international concerns, then the feds ought to chip in and pay some of that bill," Schumer said. "Local law enforcement is doing its level best to protect our commuters but they could use more help and they deserve reimbursement for the service they're performing for the country."

Schumer, the chair of the Senate Democratic National Security Taskforce, today said that the federal government needs to devote similar energy and resources to rail safety as it now does to air safety. Coordinated bombing attacks in Madrid this year left nearly 200 people dead and 1,400 wounded in synchronized explosions on four commuter trains. Schumer revealed today that US Customs Officials have confirmed to him that every passenger who goes through an airport terminal now passes a radiation detector that can sense chemical, biological, or explosive material on their bodies. Schumer called for the federal government to accelerate the development of similar detectors for rail stations.

But unlike the relatively controlled environment of an airport terminal, approaching and departing trains create wind tunnels that wreak havoc on similar systems in stations. Currently, individual transportation systems in major US cities are developing their own detection devices, but Schumer said today that a coordinated effort funded by the federal government is needed to overcome the many technological barriers that face scientists and engineers working on such systems.

Schumer announced today that he is co-sponsoring bipartisan legislation - that would be attached to the intelligence reform bill now making its way through the Senate - to allot $1.2 billion over five years for improvements to passenger and freight rail systems throughout the country. The legislation directs the Homeland Security Department to assess security risks to freight and passenger rail and develop recommendations for securing them. Schumer's measure would require the US Department of Homeland Security to study the cost and feasibility of screening all passengers, baggage and mail that travels on Amtrak trains, and would also require the department to conduct a pilot program to randomly screen passengers and baggage at as many as 10 rail stations.

Schumer today assured local Amtrak and Metro North users that the County has moved decisively to protect train passengers and that there is no need to panic because they are being well protected on public transportation. "I've ridden the rail system my entire life, and my family and I will continue to ride the rails. Despite all the steps we need to take, there's no reason to stay off the trains," Schumer said.

Schumer was joined by representatives of the Yonkers Fire Department, Yonkers Police Department, and Metro-North.

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