US

NYPD Chief: Police Could Take Down Plane if Needed

NEW YORK (AP) — The chief of the New York Police Department says city police could take down a plane if needed.

Commissioner Ray Kelly tells CBS’ “60 Minutes” that after the Sept. 11 attacks, he decided the city couldn’t rely on the federal government alone. He set about creating the NYPD’s own counter-terrorism unit. He says the department is prepared for multiple scenarios and could even take down a plane.

Kelly didn’t divulge details but said “obviously this would be in a very extreme situation.”

Other measures include sending NYPD officers abroad, using radiation detectors and creating a network of surveillance cameras in Manhattan.

The interview airs Sunday evening. It comes just a few weeks after the tenth anniversary of 9/11, when hijackers flew planes into the World Trade Center and Pentagon.


CBS News:

Kelly: Well, it‘s something that’s on our radar screen. I mean in an extreme situation, you would have some means to take down a plane.

Pelley: Do you mean to say that the NYPD has the means to take down an aircraft?

Kelly: Yes, I prefer not to get into the details but obviously this would be in a very extreme situation.

Pelley: You have the equipment and the training.

Kelly: Yes.

Kelly gave us an extraordinary look inside the counter-terrorism bureau, the training – like this assault team practicing for a hostage situation in a subway car – and the astounding technology that has been designed and built specifically for the NYPD.

We started with the threat that no one wants to imagine – a nuclear device smuggled into the city.

Out on the East River, we went along on an NYPD boat that was designed by one of the federal government’s nuclear laboratories.

Mike Riggio: Within the boat itself we have permanently mounted and installed radiological and nuclear detectors. And the good news is that the detection equipment is very sophisticated and it is very sensitive.

Beyond the water, Kelly has radiation detectors circling the city in helicopters; in trucks down on the street. And thousands of cops have automatic nuclear detectors on their gun belts. The technology is so sensitive Inspector Mike Riggio told us they often stop pleasure boats – for a reason that we found amazing.

Riggio: We‘d pull up along side the boat and we’d interview. And that lets us find out that, hey this person may have just had some type of medical procedure.

People who had medical radiation treatments, trigger the detectors.

Pelley: So you like your chances of detecting a dirty bomb or a nuclear device?

Riggio: We do. We do.

Comments (75)

1 2
  • TriforcePlayer
    Posted on September 26, 2011 at 1:01pm

    Good to know the NYPD can protect its paranoid citizens.

    Report Post » TriforcePlayer  
    • Stoic one
      Posted on September 26, 2011 at 5:39pm

      I am glad to see a city and state exercising it’s right to self determination. Too bad NYC does not allow 2nd amendment right to the citizens.

      Report Post » Stoic one  
  • CCTXCN
    Posted on September 26, 2011 at 11:59am

    This seems beyond the authority of any City or State Government!

    Report Post »  
    • GENEPAGLIARI
      Posted on September 26, 2011 at 2:07pm

      How is that “ authority”controlled or issued?

      Report Post »  
    • jiba
      Posted on September 26, 2011 at 5:08pm

      So a cop yells freeze police to a plan and it does not obey The cops can shoot off a tracking missile. I can just see how many times that will get abused. We know they kill when ever they want to and throw the book at ya whn ever they want to. Great now they will be able to blast you out of the shy.

      Who gave them the $$$$ to train and get equipment for it

      Report Post » jiba  
    • netman349
      Posted on September 26, 2011 at 5:52pm

      I bet they got Stingers from their CAIR buddies.

      Report Post »  
  • RavenRet2000
    Posted on September 26, 2011 at 11:33am

    Amazing that they have all this technology to use … aimed at private citizens in pleasure boats, when they don’t have the political will to take prudent steps to profile the right people in the first place. Good intelligence work begins with “identifying” the most likely culprits, not simply screening the masses and hoping to find the neddle in the haystack! Once again, a City needs to do what the Feds prove incapable of doing … protecting the American people. Now let’s see, Eric Holder sues Arizona for doing this, but he appludes NYC for doing the same thing … and they don’t even have the legal authority of an entire State?! Frankly, I’d expect nothing less form the Peoples Republic of NY and Commissar Bloomberg!

    Report Post »  
    • teamarcheson
      Posted on September 26, 2011 at 12:03pm

      Where is the NYPD getting its Weapons of Mass Distruction.

      Does NYPD have surface to air missles or fighter jets? Who can trust the NYPD Union Thugs. We can see every day what they do with hand guns, now they are going fire on you plane. We are just waiting to hear their excuses for accidental firing on airliners. Maybe a jet carrying Bauchmann or Palin could be accidently shot out of the sky by NYPD.

      Report Post »  
    • teamarcheson
      Posted on September 26, 2011 at 12:08pm

      In Norther New Jersey military helicopters are on regular patrol and make their rounts three times a day on a regular schedule. These military helicopters are un-marked in appear to be Sino-Soviet style Hind gun ships. These gun ships fly through the air corador used by planes departing and arriving at New York area airports including Newark. These flights have been going on for at least 4 months.

      Report Post »  
  • V-MAN MACE
    Posted on September 26, 2011 at 11:11am

    Your police have been militarized and Federalized in violation of Posse Comitatus.

    They have been issued Milspec weaponry.

    Do you have any?

    Because they’re coming to TAKE your little pistols and rifles…I hope you are aware of that…

    RESIST THE NAZI POLICE STATE!

    Report Post » V-MAN MACE  
    • jiba
      Posted on September 26, 2011 at 5:18pm

      I already melted mine Wink Wink..Oh and if anyone watched any of the Storage unit auction shows.. its true lots have GUNs AMMOs he he silencers threw them a way Wink Wink New and Used and Military kinds… by law your supposed to give to auctioneer to turn over to dealer and you can transfer to you that all cost money. its the law so I obey WINK WINK

      Report Post » jiba  
    • BigTomCat
      Posted on September 26, 2011 at 9:07pm

      What weapons? I ain’t got no stinking weapons? What’s that in my pocket? No, it is not a Model 1911 A1 .45! It’s a banana. No, no…it’s s squirrel. No, no…it’s a …oh , what does it matter? If you don’t want me to have something, Mr. Social Justice, I won’t get to have it, even IF that constitution thingy says I CAN have it.

      Report Post » BigTomCat  
  • TRILO
    Posted on September 26, 2011 at 10:44am

    Since when did the police need to have the capabilities of our military? The Department of Homeland Security is arming local police forces all around the country with more and more technology and weapons… all in the name of safety. When communities take these weapons they come with strings attached. The federal government does not dole out $$ or things without keeping their meddling fingers in local issues. In an emergency, who is going to come in and demand the use of the weapons? The Feds. This is just another subversion of Constitutional authority by the federal government.

    The people of this country had better wake up because you are being played like Pied Pipper. You are being led down a road that does not have a very happy ending all in the name of keeping you safe from the terrorist that lurks around every corner. We are losing our country each and every day.

    Report Post » TRILO  
    • jiba
      Posted on September 26, 2011 at 5:33pm

      I know my town is a little **** ant in a whole with a family controlled onk onk department of 9 onks. the frinken granny Onk is the dispatcher. Our town is 10-12 square miles 11,200 peeps. the kids was doing a protest for getting rid of some school stuff. They had the Onks at the school in full Riot gear and they had Holland Security badges on them. I know the ton did not pay for this stuff and they had two new onk cars with all the whistles like state onk cars.and not sure how they get away with it they had firemen in full riot gear with big cans of pepper spray.

      However they did back down when parent started to show up..Someone hit the public announcement trigger and a few hundred parents show up. They were getting ready to tag all these kids print and photo, i even heard DNA

      Report Post » jiba  
  • 408 CheyTac
    Posted on September 26, 2011 at 10:31am

    Cops with military capabilities.

    The republic is gone.

    What fool would think cops need AAA?

    Report Post »  
  • NOTALOTTAYITTAYADDA
    Posted on September 26, 2011 at 10:29am

    Easy to defend against what never existed: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JO_oNEaUCyc&lc=cug4mYCIOf8D8yii7cAXR3KidAk1pBNGJ_dODT7aTpE&feature=inbox

    Report Post »  
  • Mandors
    Posted on September 26, 2011 at 10:19am

    Don’t think that was something the commissioner should have divulged. Considering that all air space and aircraft are under if federal jurisdiction, I don’t think it is legal for states and or cities to have plans and the ability to shoot down planes. Put another way, the system is set up so we don’t have local mayors taking pot shots at airbuses because they might feel unsafe.

    Not a fan of this administration at all, but Justice and Homeland need to look into this.

    Report Post » Mandors  
  • Thatsitivehadenough
    Posted on September 26, 2011 at 10:06am

    Air Force One?

    Just joking.

    Report Post » Thatsitivehadenough  
  • Dudley Do-Right
    Posted on September 26, 2011 at 9:52am

    Don’t taze me Bro!

    Report Post »  
  • rdietz7
    Posted on September 26, 2011 at 9:48am

    I will never fly into JFK again. Scary when cops can have the power to make that call. ESP. NY police who are always abusing their power and violating human rights. Imagine that when the police have this authorization and technology. Hey New York leave planes flying in from Cleveland alone!

    Report Post » rdietz7  
  • poorrichard09
    Posted on September 26, 2011 at 8:58am

    RE The Statue of Liberty: the SAM launchers are the spikes in her crown (yes I know it’s a halo. I watch Glenn)

    Report Post »  
  • palmettopalflorida
    Posted on September 26, 2011 at 8:08am

    Seems over the top, to me, and beyond the authority of a local government. Especially one that has a problem with admitting that we are at war with Islam. But it does sound like the return of the Medieval city state system of government. What, are they planning on going to war with Boston?

    Report Post »  
    • poorrichard09
      Posted on September 26, 2011 at 8:48am

      Only if the Red Sox challenge the Yankees in the World Series ;)

      Report Post »  
    • rose-ellen
      Posted on September 26, 2011 at 10:49am

      We’re at war with islam? so what would you have them do- kill every muslim on the streets of new york?You’re a 21st c genocidist.-we havn‘t declared war on islam yet like the good germans of yore you’re an indoctrinated anti-semite [against arab/muslim this time]

      Report Post »  
    • MSSouth
      Posted on September 26, 2011 at 4:18pm

      Rose, you show yourself as an idiot with remarks like that. Better to remain silent…..

      Report Post »  
  • fastfox86
    Posted on September 26, 2011 at 8:04am

    Why in the hell do our public officials keep going on TV and telling the enemy about our technologies and countermeasures so the enemy can better prepare themselves to avoid detection the next time they try and attack us? I just don’t understand this? Maybe they think it’s a deterent against future attacks, but these people are extremist whackos and don’t care. They will inevitably try to attack us again, and it would be nice if they didn’t know our every defense and how to avoid it. Yes, I‘m sure we haven’t tipped our whole hand but come on people. Keep your mouths shut.

    Report Post »  
  • drago
    Posted on September 26, 2011 at 6:50am

    Sooo, NYC now has SAM missles?

    Report Post »  
    • Erabin
      Posted on September 26, 2011 at 7:11am

      I hope they thought that brilliant plan all the way through because even SAMs don’t make a 60 ton aircraft simply disappear but turn it into a 60 ton burning wreckage hurtling towards earth.

      Report Post »  
  • AzCowboy
    Posted on September 26, 2011 at 6:32am

    I wonder what the Armed Forces think about this. ?

    Report Post »  
    • Mil-Dot
      Posted on September 26, 2011 at 6:51am

      I agree. So what will they have next to use against the people, TOW missiles?

      Report Post »  
  • Carol Ingian
    Posted on September 26, 2011 at 6:27am

    Some of this sounds unsettling and intrusive, but it may come in handy one day.
    Unfortunately there are too many nuts in this world, and we have to take steps to protect our country.

    Report Post »  
    • Atallcosts
      Posted on September 26, 2011 at 6:37am

      Don’t fear the nuts, fear being a sheep being lead down the dark path in the name of safety and security.

      Report Post »  
    • hidden_lion
      Posted on September 26, 2011 at 6:47am

      They would have no way to verify the target. The Police have no business using tactics and weapons of the military. People in New York should be very afraid of this militarization of the police.

      Report Post » hidden_lion  
    • Erabin
      Posted on September 26, 2011 at 7:12am

      Meh, it could be argued that the USA are a police state already. This is just one further step down that road.

      Report Post »  
    • MARCH4HIM
      Posted on September 26, 2011 at 8:21am

      who takes that 3:00am call..?
      let see ..have my hand cuffs check,flashlight check…sidearm…check
      suface to air missile…uh..check… hey honey…what ya do with my tactical nuke..?

      Report Post » MARCH4HIM  
  • TomFerrari
    Posted on September 26, 2011 at 6:22am

    The right to bear arms is protected by the 2nd Amendment.
    STATES have the right to their own militias as well.
    So, it only follows that the State of NY has the authority to allow NYPD to arm itself as a part of that.

    Having said that, I do have questions that should be publicly answered:
    Who has the authority to launch such a weapon?
    Is it capable of firing upon locations outside the city?

    And, most importantly,…

    Does Bass Pro Shops have them yet?

    We The People want to know!
    LOL

    Report Post » TomFerrari  
    • hidden_lion
      Posted on September 26, 2011 at 6:50am

      Can’t use the 2nd amendment here as New York City denies this right to their citizens. The police do not constitute militia. Just like the military is not allowed to do the police work. This is a dangerous mixing of authority.

      Report Post » hidden_lion  
    • TomFerrari
      Posted on September 26, 2011 at 10:09am

      I’m not taking sides, but, I am thinking critically, and these are the thoughts I had that COULD explain how this was done.

      Report Post » TomFerrari  
  • Bargis Tryhol
    Posted on September 26, 2011 at 6:08am

    I get it…..NYC has surplus SAM missle batteries hidden in the Statue of LIberty

    Report Post » Bargis Tryhol  
    • TomFerrari
      Posted on September 26, 2011 at 6:26am

      You didn’t really buy into that whole “dirigible/blimp dock” thing on the Empire State building did you?
      LOL
      Clearly it was always meant as a mounting system for SAMs!
      LOL

      Seriously, though, I imagine you could put the things in pretty much any skyscraper – just have a hinged window, bust out the window when needed, or, even a roof mounted “elevator housing” or “hvac unit” would do the trick, I’m sure.

      Report Post » TomFerrari  
    • Mil-Dot
      Posted on September 26, 2011 at 7:05am

      Yeah, I agree with Tom. It would be best to have it on an elevator with a rotary turret so it can have 360 degree access. But, more than likely, they are talking about shoulder fired Stinger missiles instead of full blown mounted arrays.

      Report Post »  
    • poorrichard09
      Posted on September 26, 2011 at 8:52am

      yeah, the launchers are the spikes in her crown (yes I know it’s really a halo. I watch Glenn)

      Report Post »  
  • OneNationIndivisable
    Posted on September 26, 2011 at 6:01am

    Keep up the vigilance

    Report Post » OneNationIndivisable  
  • PFN
    Posted on September 26, 2011 at 5:24am

    This does not really suprise me considering the liberal hell holes that left wing politicians have made of most of our major cities. Could New York City be a precursor for what is in store for the rest of the country? Absolutely! We must rid ourselves of these left wing whacos who are destroying our nation, our Constitution, and our liberty. Get them out of office!

    Report Post »  
  • Atallcosts
    Posted on September 26, 2011 at 5:00am

    OK folks I am getting so sick of NYC, they are on the verge of a police state that will bring the rest of the country down by way of lost freedoms. Question for you who was attacked on 9/11 the US or NYC. Answer THE US. Am I the only one that is slightly disturbed that NYPD has officers posted internationally, has special access to the CIA and other 3 letter agencies, and cams on every street corner?

    Report Post »  
  • KickinBack
    Posted on September 26, 2011 at 4:08am

    I now know that for now on I will not fly into NYC. I will take the train, bus, drive, whatever. I don’t like the idea that they could just “shoot you down” because of fear of some sort of threat.

    Report Post » KickinBack  
    • RepubliCorp
      Posted on September 26, 2011 at 5:14am

      They can practice on Air-force one.

      Report Post » RepubliCorp  
    • grandmaof5
      Posted on September 26, 2011 at 5:41am

      And set it down on the UN building. Hell will freeze over before we go back to NYC, and it used to be one of our favorite places to go.

      Report Post »  
    • RepubliCorp
      Posted on September 26, 2011 at 6:21am

      GRANDMAOF5 you got Boston if you like seafood?

      Report Post » RepubliCorp  
    • TomFerrari
      Posted on September 26, 2011 at 6:28am

      The AF1 joke was not funny.

      Report Post » TomFerrari  
    • hillbillyinny
      Posted on September 26, 2011 at 7:32am

      @ tomferrari

      The AF1 joke was funny–it didn’t say anything about your “glorious” president! Don‘t be so d’d hyper sensitive! The poster was only “saying” we should check the ability of AF1 to hold together no matter what. . .

      Report Post »  
    • RepubliCorp
      Posted on September 26, 2011 at 7:52am

      I don’t want anything to happen to BO….I want see his face when he is giving his concession speech. It will be a great moment in time, all the little libs crying……wouldn’t give that up for the world.

      Report Post » RepubliCorp  
  • M 4 Colt
    Posted on September 26, 2011 at 3:32am

    This all goes back to Obama wanting a non military force to be as strong as the military, but is not held back by the laws in this country that keeps the military from being used against its own citizens. Now we as a people have to worry when people like the mayor of New York city (bloomburg) controls his own private army that has the type of weapons that can bring down a 747. The question remains what keeps Obama or Bloomburg from turning those weapons on us when we do something they don’t like and to top this off we have Bloomburg PUSHING VERY HARD to disarm all “the little people” to make us all safer or so he says. Thanks but no thanks i will keep my arms and protect my own family.

    Report Post »  
    • GO-FOR-LIBERTY
      Posted on September 26, 2011 at 6:45am

      Obama knew all along of this project. He probably gave his blessing sort of under the radar.

      Report Post »  
  • bobbknight
    Posted on September 26, 2011 at 1:57am

    I am scared, the New York City Police have the equipment to bring down an airplane, does anyone see anything wrong with this?

    When will they decide to lay siege to a crack house with this equipment.

    We have less liberty today than on 9/11, I grieve for my country.

    Report Post »  
    • SojuNTaegu
      Posted on September 26, 2011 at 2:10am

      Amen Brother, I grieve for what was once the best place to live. Today, people would rather give up a portion of the freedom for some entitlement. I was proud to serve when I was in the military, ready to die for my country, but now, not so sure. Great Country, crappy leadership.

      Aloha from S. Korea…

      Report Post » SojuNTaegu  
    • TomFerrari
      Posted on September 26, 2011 at 6:35am

      Power is SUPPOSED to be in the hands of WE THE PEOPLE.
      We have always been intended to be more powerful than our federal government.
      States have “militias” under their Governor’s control.

      I believe you are speaking out of fear.

      If I have a concern, it would be over how well is it secured.
      If I recall correctly, even our military has such weapons that are “unaccounted for.”

      Report Post » TomFerrari  
    • TriforcePlayer
      Posted on September 26, 2011 at 1:02pm

      Good Lord you’re sad

      Report Post » TriforcePlayer  
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