Schumer: U.S. Can Do More To Protect 'Soft Target' Areas
ALBANY, N.Y. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer says baggage claims, check-in lines and other vulnerable spots in airports need greater security to prevent terrorists looking to attack so-called "soft target'' areas.
The New York Democrat told The Associated Press on Wednesday that he'll push to include greater funding for security in an upcoming aviation funding bill.
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Schumer says the recent terrorist attack in Brussels shows that terrorists are looking to exploit weaknesses in airport security.
His proposal would increase the number of security agents and bomb-sniffing dogs positioned in baggage claims and other similar non-secure areas, and enhance security agent training on how to deal with an active shooter.
Schumer says his proposal would also help other kinds of transportation facilities such as rail and transit stations.
Areas where large numbers of people congregate or pass through on a regular basis are considered 'soft targets' because places with large volume of people moving fluidly makes it difficult to fully secure.
Bratton said in an earlier interview with "CBS This Morning" that New York City had perfect examples of "soft targets" or areas vulnerable to attack.
"We're a city of 8.5 million people, with thousands of locations where large numbers of people congregate," Bratton said. "So the idea of trying to protect all of that — it's not possible."
Instead, Bratton said active intelligence gathering is key to preventing potential attacks by identifying and apprehending suspects even before a plan could be executed.
More than 30 people were killed and at least 270 injured after explosions at an Brussels airport and a nearby metro station on March 22.
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