New York City Receives Threat of Terror Attack to Subways

New York City has stepped up security in and around its subway system after receiving what city officials described as a 'credible' and 'specific threat' regarding a possible terrorist attack.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly took the unusual step of holding a rush-hour news conference to announce the threat. Bloomberg called it the most specific threat city officials had received to date and that it originated overseas.

'We have never had before a specific threat to our subway system,' Bloomberg said. 'Its importance was enhanced above the normal level by the detail that was available to us from intelligence sources.' The mayor did not specify what intelligence organization provided the information.

According to a story published by the Associated Press, a city law enforcement official described the threat as 'specific to place, time and method' and involves a bombing.

Bloomberg said city officials will be vigilant in the face of the threat. 'We have done and will continue to do everything we can to protect this city,' the mayor announced. 'We will spare no resource, we will spare no expense. We have increased our police presence on our subways.'

According to Kelly, the police would make extra searches of bags, briefcases, baby strollers and any other package that may be used to bring a bomb onto the transit system.

There has been controversy since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 that the federal government has not provided New York City and other likely terrorist targets with enough emergency money. Anti-terror funds have been more evenly distributed among the 50 states instead of concentrating them in areas terrorists are more likely to attack.

New York City's subway system carries approximately 4.5 million riders per day and is the country's busiest. Officials would not specify how long the city's transit system would remain on high alert.