T riders to face searches during convention
Subway and commuter rail riders will face more random searches as part of Democratic National Convention security measures, and will be discouraged from bringing backpacks and briefcases on board public trains. Is this necessary? Will you comply?
in today's globe: T riders face more random checks
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I don't see the big deal in randomly inspecting bags, as it is temporary. And with the number of T travelers, the odds of a person getting checked have got to be extremely low. Most of the responses I read were adamantly against this, citing constitutional rights. Do these same people refuse to have their bags screened at the airport? by the way, the handling of the DNC is a joke!
Sean, Boston
What level of security is NYC experiencing for the RNC? I intend to stay out of town during the DNC. What if Boston votes Republican this year? Thanks,
Julian, Boston
I absolutely WILL NOT cooperate with this ridiculous policy. It is completely unecessary, does nothing to promote safety but everything to promote the encroaching fascism which is spreading throughout our country. I encourage everyone to refuse to cooperate with this idiocy. Our rights cannot be taken from us without our cooperation.
J. , Watertown, MA
I can sympathize with the need for security but if you tell people they can't carry backpacks or briefcases where does it stop. Do you tell them that they can't carry plastic grocery/department store bags, handbags. Will you not be allowed to take strollers or carriages? If you commute to work or go to school you need a way to carry your belongings. I brown bag my lunch and I carry a 6 pack of soda to work plus lunch and shoes, etc,; maybe for the week that convention is in town lunch should be on the city or convention. Thank you for the chance to have some input.
Cheryl, East Boston
I'm a 61-year old planner with two college degrees who has a monthly combo pass. My "briefcase", like thousands of other riders I see daily, is a backpack. In it are my lunch, work materials, reading supplies and so on. The T's plan is poorly thought out constitutionally and pretty useless, I think, for combating whatever threats this country may face. In addition, it seems guarenteed to further upset T riders who already have enough to complain about. What a waste of limited resources. Bob
bob , boston
Let them check...I'm all for it...it makes everything a bit safer. Will it prevent a T attack? No. Will it make an attacke less effective? Yes. Unless the T is going to check every single point of entry to every single T stop, there is still going to be a chance someone will slip by. And even if trouble is detected, the terrorist is immediately going to do whatever he/she was sent to do rather than get arrested. I'm trying to sound realistic...not pessimistic.
Eric, Boston
I find it incredible that since 9/11 I have RARELY seen a cop anywhere near the T. Are their plain cloths around? Probably - but wouldn't it be smarter to have them in uniform? I take the T to and from work every day and on weekends.. So I am someone that is on it at all times and going to and from major stops. I think I saw 2 motorcycle cops outside of Park St station when the Gay Marriage stuff was going on and that was the first and last in a long time. But lo and behold the DNC comes and now they want to search my bags. What if they find something other than a bomb in my bag - will I get in trouble for it? Where has our privacy gone? Thanks to Bush any law enforcement person can come into my home, car, store, unannounced and I have no say in the matter - all in the name of Homeland security. BS - it's all in the name of Big Brother. Maybe I should start carrying dirty underwear and socks in my bag for that week. Or better yet have my big bag and put everything inside it in smaller bags so they have to go thru 20 bags - maybe these cops they all of a sudden found to patrol the T will enjoy it more. This whole DNC is a mess and the politicians whether republican or democrat are doing what they are best at right now - playing on our fears. Why wouldn't they have started a better security program after 9/11? Why now? Why only for the DNC? Do people think any of the security measures that will be in place for the DNC will be in place on July 30th?
Heidi, Somerville
Vote Republican.
Arthur , Stoughton
I will bring my bag, but I will not allow it to be checked. This is an incredible waste of resourses, and time. I cannot believe they actually believe this will make the week safer. Another Boston screwup. We always seem to show the world how ignorant and smallminded we are....
Jim, Boston
I am outraged that Boston Public Safety organizations have used the DNC for an opportunity to search innocent citizens on public transportation. It is ineffective considering the volume of people who ride the T and the inability of them all to be searched. It is also a narrow security effort considering supposed terrorists could use private cars, trucks or planes to their ends. Yet, we've heard nothing of random checkpoints for cars or searches at the airport. It appears as if this yet another scare tactic to keep protestors off the T. Or perhaps it is a way to create fear around the convention itself. The Republican National Convention in New York has announced no similar random searches. This is another waste of taxpayer money on policing that does nothing to protect the population and everything to create fear and inconvienence for the working people of the city who use the T everyday.
Leah , Camrbidge
