ANDREW Cuomo, governor of New York, has announced that 10 of the bridges and tunnels leading into New York City will be equipped with face recognition and license plate reading technology. The move comes after a recent terrorist bombing in the city that badly injured 30.
"New York is increasingly a target of threats to security,” said the Metro Transport Authority recently. “In recognition of this threat, the New York Crossings Project will integrate emerging technologies into the security design of bridges and tunnels across the state, deploying additional personnel and equipment.
“At each crossing, and at structurally sensitive points on bridges and tunnels, advanced cameras and sensors will be installed to read license plates and test emerging facial recognition software and equipment. These technologies will be applied across airports and transit hubs – including the Penn-Farley Complex – to ultimately develop one system-wide plan."
According to the MTA, anti-terrorism teams will be combined with traffic enforcement at crossings and will develop new operating protocols across agencies. Approximately 525 TBTA officers will provide security and traffic management at bridges and tunnels and will collaborate with State Police on toll enforcement.
An additional 150 members of State Police Troop NYC will be assigned at crossings to handle security and anti-terror activities, while 150 National Guardsmen will reinforce troopers on security and anti-terror initiatives. Special barricade trucks will be positioned at both ends of each crossing to serve as intercept vehicles and mobile barriers in the event of an emergency. ♦
