Schumer, Israel: Long Island Rail Security Needs To Be Tightened - London Attacks Should Serve As Warning To Beef Up Lirr Security

SCHUMER, ISRAEL: LONG ISLAND RAIL SECURITY NEEDS TO BE TIGHTENED - LONDON ATTACKS SHOULD SERVE AS WARNING TO BEEF UP LIRR SECURITY

Lawmakers to Push for Passage of Major Legislation Next Week That Would Improve Funding Streams for Rail Security, Pay For Explosive Detection Devices for Trains

Long Island train stations and commuter rail lines are still vulnerable to terrorist attack and need federal support to bolster security efforts, Senator Charles E. Schumer and Congressman Steve Israel warned today. Schumer and Israel explained that the terrorist attacks on London's mass transit should serve as a wake-up call to the federal government to tighten security on commuter rails outside New York City. With the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) having raised the terror threat level for commuter rails, the lawmakers discussed how LIRR lines are still lacking proper security infrastructure and will require significant security upgrades.

"Following the attack on Madrid's rail system, the terrible terrorist attacks in London are our second wake-up call to greatly improve our rail and mass transit security here in America. It is clear that we're not doing close to enough and must do more. The soft underbelly of buses and subways and railroads are fully exposed to similar terrorist attacks unless we take real steps to beef up mass transit security immediately," Schumer said.

""In response to yesterday's tragedy in London, we have police with machine guns at New York's Grand Central Terminal, extra identity checks at random Amtrak stations, but what about next month, and the month after that? Rail security has been the redheaded stepchild in Homeland Security funding for too long. Since 9/11, the federal government has spent $18 billion on aviation security, but only $250 million on transit security. That is why I am introducing a companion bill introduced in the Senate to protect our rail passengers from terrorist attacks," Israel added.

To combat the heightened threat, Schumer and Israel argued that federal funds should go toward additional patrols for the commuter stations on Long Island - and proposed a plan to speed up the development of bomb detecting sensors for rail stations. Additionally, Schumer will offer an amendment to the Homeland Security Appropriations bill that would double the $100 million in the bill for both mass transit and rail security and allocate $100 million for each. The proposed amendment would also double funding for bus security improvements from $10 million to $20 million.

http://schumer.senate.gov/SchumerWebsite/pressroom/pr-latest_news.html