March 29th, 2010
12:11 PM ET

Security boosted in U.S. after Moscow bombing

[Updated at 12:08 p.m.] Officials with Amtrak and Atlanta's subway system have both stepped up security efforts following a subway bombing in Moscow, Russia.

"Following the recent terrorist attack in Moscow, Amtrak employees are reminded to remain vigilant in their duties and attentive to their surroundings during daily work activities," Amtrak said in a statement. "While there is no specific threat to Amtrak identified at this time, Amtrak Police personnel assigned to the FBI’s National and Regional Joint Terrorism Task Force remain informed regarding any potential threats and other security issues."

Atlanta's MARTA officials said they will be "increasing police presence and patrols" because of the attacks, but there are no credible threats of attack against the system.

[Posted at 10:03 a.m] Police are increasing security in the New York City and Washington D.C. subway systems as a precaution following Monday's subway bombings in Moscow, according to local authorities.

Explosive ordnance detection teams will conduct station and rail yard sweeps throughout the day as part of the heightened security in the Washington area, a statement from D.C. transit officials noted.

"We remain an open system and we do what we can to be as secure as possible," Metro Transit Police Acting Chief Jeri Lee said.

The Washington area metro system is also conducting a drill simulating a bus explosion on Monday. The drill has been planned since December, the statement said.

Earlier, New York Police Department Deputy Commissioner Paul Browne said police are stepping up security in the New York City subway system.

 Post by:
Filed under: Russia • Terrorism • U.S. • World
soundoff (8 Responses)
  1. Independent Progressive

    Is there any reason in the world that Chechen separatists would want to bomb US subways??? So either we are just totally and freely fear-mongering here or what? you guys believe that all terrorists have some sort of spiritual bond or some league of evil-doers and they all get together and coordinate their attacks with other terrorists who don't even share their objectives? Maybe we need to watch out here for Spanish/Basque separatists as well, and the IRA watch out for Irish Terrorist bombings in the US as well, we have so many of them you really have to watch for them, and the Tibetans, those terrorist Tibetans!

    March 29, 2010 at 11:59 am | Report abuse |
  2. Greg

    The threat isn't as likely to come from Chechen separatists as it is to come from copycats. I think you underestimate the human psyche just a bit too much. Look at any major crimes and atrocities, and you'll notice that in the days, weeks, and months following, you'll typically see an increase in the number of related crimes. People see coverage of events such as this and suddenly things "become clear", or perhaps they become inspired. A perfect example of this is the run of domestic murder-suicides that we saw last year. It all started with a father who thought the best way out of his problems was to murder his wife and children, and follow it up by taking his own life. After seeing the first reported occurrence of this, I saw more than 5 others in the following months (and those are just the ones I noticed).

    There are some sick, twisted people in this world, and sometimes all it takes to set them off is a single comment, or even something as simple as news coverage of a disaster.

    March 29, 2010 at 1:02 pm | Report abuse |
  3. Sharon

    Jehad Terrorists have a common bond–it is their belief to conquer the world–and have the only religion to be recognized is the Nation of Islam. It is their pledged duty to fulfill the Prophet Mohammadan.

    The Jehad Terrorists take great pride in their ability to simultaneously hit more than one target at the same time.

    As far as the fear-mongering people who will boost the security level in America for what happened in Moscow, is called prudence.

    After 3,000 people died on 9-11-01--over 6,000 people injured–if the people from the grave could speak-they would want the level of secuirty heightened-–they would want to make sure Americans going back and forth to work–protected. Because some of those people were directly affected by 9-11-01.

    Not all Muslims are the Jehad terrorists--but America must be very observent. Why? Russia is a country who has security and control of every aspect of their people. Their people are free to come and go without proper identification.

    So if it could happen in Moscow-it would be easier to attack America!

    Where do you draw the line? When Muslims killing Muslims stop–such as in Afghanistan–Iraq–and other Arab worlds decide to become peaceful. For it is a Great Sin in the Muslim world–to kill another Muslim. Yet-it happens every day!

    God Help the USA!

    March 29, 2010 at 3:35 pm | Report abuse |
  4. Dale Portland, ME.

    We're broke. You can spend millions and millions more for security, while terrorists patiently wait till we let down our guard and bankrupt our children and grandchildren. Anything short of a baggage search and pat down will not deter a bomber. a vigilant public is our only fiscally reasonable solution. Unfortunately people will die here and everywhere. You can survive a subway ride only to step off a curb and get hit by a car, get home and your spouse is waiting to kill, or find out later that day you have terminal cancer. It's almost a joke that we spend all those millions of dollars on an unlikely bombing that will kill maybe dozens when thousand die everyday from car accidents, or the millions who die from smoking cigarettes. No one calls the cigarette CEO's terrorists. It's just that so many die every second from so many things, it's funny that people focus on the thing that probably kills the least of us.

    March 29, 2010 at 6:55 pm | Report abuse |
  5. Daniel

    The Russians have but themselves to blame.Instead of bullheadedly fighting the Chechnians,why don't they just settle down and grant the Chechnians their well deserved Independence?

    March 30, 2010 at 8:08 am | Report abuse |
  6. Bruce L

    Ah yes, I'm sure it will soon be illegal again to use the restroom or otherwise leave your assigned train seat within 30 miles of Washington DC, for fear a passenger will hijack the train and fly it into the white-house or something. Hello? None of this is about security, or making anyone safe. This is all about Government getting to peek, poke, and prod, and dominate every single part of you every time you leave home.

    A vote for either Democrats or Republicans is a vote for more of the same.

    April 4, 2010 at 5:01 pm | Report abuse |
  7. escorts woman

    It is very interesting for me to read this article. Thanx for it. I like such topics and everything that is connected to them. I definitely want to read more on that blog soon.

    Joan Smith

    August 18, 2010 at 12:40 am | Report abuse |
  8. exotic escorts

    Pretty interesting blog you've got here. Thank you for it. I like such topics and anything that is connected to this matter. I would like to read more on that blog soon.

    Bella Swenson

    August 31, 2010 at 11:29 am | Report abuse |
« Back to main