Amtrak riders to see more cops, face random bag searches soon

KATHERINE RUDISH and LEO STANDORA
New York Daily News
February 19th 2008

Cops with automatic weapons and bomb-sniffing dogs will patrol Amtrak trains and randomly search carry-on bags in a dramatic tightening of security to be announced today.

Although some riders were unhappy with the idea of guns on the trains, most welcomed the new security plan.

“I think it’s good,” said Yvette Davis, 23, an assistant shoe store manager from the Bronx, while waiting for a train in Penn Station. “You can never be too protective, especially with some of these crazy people.”

“I think it’s great,” said Manhattan software salesman Dan Hurley, 39. “I’ve often wondered why there is so little security on trains. They could do as much damage as a plane.”

April Holder, 30, from Manhattan, said only, “Just don’t make us late. New Yorkers hate being late.”

Amtrak officials insist the security ramp-up won’t make anyone late.

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