2 1/2 months of random bag searches: 16 body searches, 2 dozen false alarms, no weapons, no arrests

[Ian David]

T's searches turn up only false alarms
But officials say antiterror effort is a deterrent

By Mac Daniel, Globe Staff | January 31, 2007

In the first 2 1/2 months of random bag searches on the MBTA, police found no weapons, made no arrests, but had nearly two-dozen false alarms for explosives.

Of the 2,449 inspections between Oct. 10 and Dec. 31, the bags of 27 riders tested positive in the initial screening for explosives, prompting further searches, the Globe found in an analysis of daily inspection reports obtained under the state's Freedom of Information Act.

In the additional screening, 11 passengers had their bags checked by explosive-sniffing dogs, and 16 underwent a physical search. Nothing was found.

<snip>

In the period covered by the reports, blacks made up 11 percent, and Asians 10 percent of passengers searched.

Those racial groups made up only about 5 percent each of the total population of the Boston region extending to Manchester, N.H.; Providence; and Worcester. That region covers nearly all of the T system, which has about 1.1 million riders each workday.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts has been closely monitoring the inspections, placing ads on the subway and handing out fliers asking that passengers report any abuses in the searches.

More:
http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2007/01/31/ts_searches_turn_up_only_false_alarms/?rss_id=Boston+Globe+--+City%2FRegion+News

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

1. Why is it

that minorities are usually checked at twice their percentage of the population? If any terrorist cell was intent on causing harm, it would behoove them to recruit someone who looked WASPish and very very normal. Is the FBI investigating possible links between white supremists and terrorists from overseas?

[Ian David]

2. No. Which is why you hear nothing about stuff like THIS...

Anti-tax supporters join anti-government militia groups's stand-off in Plainfield, NH
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x89112

[seemunkee]

3. It doesn't say what the ridership percentages are

Not that I approve of this at all but I wonder how the ridership vs searched percentages match up.