Is security in NYC to be as severe as Boston?

[LindaG4458]

There hasn't been much about NYC in the newspapers up here in New England so I wondered how extensive the travel restrictions are going to be in the city during the Republican convention in August? I am referring to railway and subway station closings, road closings, airspace restrictions, amount of personal property you can carry onto the subway, etc.

Boston is closing so many major highways, railway stations, subway stations, and so on that it will be almost impossible for out-of-town commuters to get to work. I lived north of Boston for 30 years and know the area and transportation issues well. The latest edict, after encouraging everyone to use MBTA instead of cars, now says that anyone carrying a bag larger than a briefcase will not be allowed on the subway! As for the suggestion to use Route 128 as an alternate route Commuters will not be able to get dependable traffic reports because the news and traffic helicopters cannot fly in the restricted airspace (extending west as far as Route 495). Traffic cameras predominately focus on roads that will be closed, thus providing little useful informtion.

So is NYC going to the same extent for security reasons or is Boston going overboard?

 

[EsmeraldaX]

I'm all for security, and even I think Boston is being insane.

 

[Arabella Figg 2003]

We're still in the planning stages, but it will be different.


NYC is larger than Boston. there are no major highways affected by the convention. the area around Madison Square Garden will be all but closed to vehicular traffic, and pedestrians will have to have a business reason to be in the area.

as for public transportation -- the Garden sits right on top of Penn Station -- Amtrack, NJ transit, the Long Island Railroad and two subway lines run through Penn. all trains going through Penn will be subjected to bomb-stiffing dogs. but trains and subways going through the city's other trnasit hubs are not supposed to be affected.

in other words, midtown will be a nightmare, but the rest of the city won't be too badly affected.

 

[RachelEllen]

Where did you read about the bag thing!!! I work overnight a lot, and if I have to take the subway, that is going to be a pain. I'm going to have to stock up work with a week's worth of underwear, toiletries, and fresh clothes! Not to mention food, reading materials, and miscellaneous stuff.

Rachel

 

[aprincessmom]

Where did you read about the bag thing!!!

It was in the Boston Globe last week (Wed. or Thursday) and again this weekend.

 

[Kimberle]

NYC has been on high alert since 9/11, it has never come down. Yes, security will be tight, but it always is now. It's just a fact of life. There will be road closings around MSG. They were published in this weeks NY Times.

 

[luvwinnie]

I work on 34th St, near the Garden, wondering if we will need to show proof we work in the area or what...we haven't heard anything definite yet.

 

[CourtasanSatine]

is there a link to the story? only curious

 

[aprincessmom]

http://www.boston.com/news/politics/conventions/articles/2004/06/25/mbta_advisory_pack_light/

From the 6/25 Boston Globe...nothing larger than a pocketbook or briefcase on the Orange line and all busses traveling past the Fleet Center. All bags bigger than pocketbook or briefcase on all other lines will be searched randomly. All suitcases and gift bags will be searched individually before you can board...which will make riding the blue line to the airport exta special!

 

[CourtasanSatine]

thanks

 

[suzannen]

Well, the majority of the folks in my office (in NYC), myself included, have already put in for vacation that last week in August during the Republican convention.

I work in a high-rise in Rockefeller Center with the subway in the basement. Our building manager has said they've already been told by the police to expect quite a few subway stoppages due to all of the extra bomb sniffing dogs and security and that the streets in our area will be closed quite often during certain times.

That did it for me. It's hard enough commuting on a regular day - a lot of us just don't have the strength or desire to spend extra hours that week simply trying to get to and from our offices. Meanwhile, it gives me a good excuse to watch it from the Hamptons.

 

[LindaG4458]

Thank you everyone for the NYC info. Sounds like they are taking some very strong steps as well. Suzannen has the best idea - take vacation if you can.

DH has to go to Woburn the last day of the Boston convention, luckily early in the morning. I think I'll stay here.

Thanks again and best of luck to everyone.

 

[RachelEllen]

Originally posted by aprincessmom
http://www.boston.com/news/politics/conventions/articles/2004/06/25/mbta_advisory_pack_light/

From the 6/25 Boston Globe...nothing larger than a pocketbook or briefcase on the Orange line and all busses traveling past the Fleet Center. All bags bigger than pocketbook or briefcase on all other lines will be searched randomly. All suitcases and gift bags will be searched individually before you can board...which will make riding the blue line to the airport exta special!

I'm sorry, but this week is looking totally unworkable. You can't drive to work (with traffic changes, we're too far away for the time limits for my calls). They're not providing extra rooms like they do in snow emergencies to stay over. They're not changing any clinic times. And now, if you take the T, you can't even bring a bag!

What do they want me to do. Teleport!!!

 

[chris1gill]

Originally posted by RachelEllen
I'm sorry, but this week is looking totally unworkable. You can't drive to work (with traffic changes, we're too far away for the time limits for my calls). They're not providing extra rooms like they do in snow emergencies to stay over. They're not changing any clinic times. And now, if you take the T, you can't even bring a bag!

What do they want me to do. Teleport!!!

And the city is happy to host it!!! Somehow they think they'll be making money but don't care that most businesses in the city can't operate properly...

And, why can't the DNC be hosted at the Convention center where the highways & subways would not be affected?

I can't imagine what they're thinking