Residents Sue Over World Trade Center Security
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- New Yorkers living around the rebuilt World Trade Center are fighting what they call the "fortress-like'' security planned for their neighborhood.
Residents have sued the New York Police Department, the city and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey which runs the trade center, CBS 2's Sonia Rincon reported. They say the $40 million barrier would block them in.
Residents Sue Over World Trade Center Security
On Thursday in Manhattan state Supreme Court, members of the World Trade Center Neighborhood Alliance tried to show that the NYPD went too far with its plans for the massive guard booths, gates, fencing and checkpoints.
Plaintiff Mary Perillo, a longtime resident, says the neighborhood has become far more residential since 9/11. She says the security plan would keep her and her neighbors isolated while the area is flooded by tourists.
"The police seem to be doing everything for the tourists at the expense of the community," Perillo said in November.
Perillo told 1010 WINS' Carol D'Auria that the security plan will make it difficult for residents and their personal cars to get through, but tour buses will be allowed.
"It creates a situation where we've got up to 42 tour buses an hour idling in front of two high schools and then on the busiest corner in our neighborhood before they turn and take up to 16 minutes a piece unloading their passengers," Perillo said.
"For coming home, say in a taxi, I couldn't come anywhere near my block," Perillo told Rincon Thursday.
The NYPD and other officials have said security concerns must be addressed and their plan will make these streets more pedestrian and bike friendly.
Judge Margaret Chan has agreed to take a walk through the neighborhood once the weather warms up.
Chan made no other decisions Thursday, but said she understood Liberty Street does not want to be named 'No Liberty Street.'
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