Dept. of Homeland Security dismisses need for better rail security: 30 people dying not important enough


Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff is raising eyebrows today with his dismissal of the federal government's role in protecting against terror attacks on trains.

"The truth of the matter is, a fully loaded airplane with jet fuel, a commercial airliner, has the capacity to kill 3,000 people. A bomb in a subway car may kill 30 people. When you start to think about your priorities, you're going to think about making sure you don't have a catastrophic thing first," Chertoff said.

Chertoff's comments came in a session with reporters where he said the federal government can provide only limited help to states and local governments to protect transit systems from terror attacks, and local officials must be largely responsible for the costs of improved subway, train and bus security.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/07/14/AR2005071400689.html

Posted: Fri - July 15, 2005 at 01:33 AM          

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