BART, Other Transit Agencies Beef Up Security After Word Of Alleged Plot By ISIS To Attack U.S. Subways
OAKLAND (KCBS) – Iraq's prime minister said Thursday that captive militants for the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria [ISIS] told his intelligence agents of an alleged plot to attack subways in the United States and Paris.
While U.S. law enforcement officials are investigating the threat, several Bay Area transit agencies are taking extra precautions.
"We've increased our patrols in what we've delegated as our sensitive areas," said Bay Area Rapid Transit Police Department Lt. Michael Hayes. "We have K-9 teams in those areas as well as increased directed patrols."
BART isn't the only transit agency taking these extra precautions. Officials with the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency said they are also increasing their security presence on platforms and trains. Hayes said passengers may also see an increased security presence on Caltrain and Amtrak trains, as well as at those agency's stations.
"As in the past, we will maintain high visibility in those critical areas that we've identified through Homeland Security until the threat has passed," Hayes said.
FBI Director James Comey told reporters Thursday afternoon that he was unaware of any threat directed at U.S. subways. U.S. law enforcement officials have told CBS News there is still no intelligence on any credible specific plot against the U.S.
