Rell Reflects on NYC Bomb Scare

Governor M. Jodi Rell was given a detailed and confidential briefing today by Commissioners from the state Department of Public Safety and the Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security on the intensive and ongoing investigation of the attempted car bombing in New York City's Times Square.

A Pakistani-born man with ties to Bridgeport and Shelton – Faisal Shahzad – has been identified as a suspect in Saturday's failed bombing attempt. License plates on the vehicle used in the failed bombing were linked to an auto parts shop in Stratford, which is about 10 miles outside of Westport.

"This case has been deeply disconcerting to all of us – but I want people to know that Connecticut's State Police, our homeland security officials and other law enforcement agencies in the state are working vigorously with the FBI, the Joint Terrorism Task Force and New York authorities and have been since Saturday," Rell said in a news release. "In fact, the cooperation across all agencies, across all boundaries and across all levels of government has been tremendous. I know it will continue. It must continue. The state has had a strong presence at every step of the investigation and we remain actively involved.

"We also continue to investigate any and all Connecticut links to Mr. Shahzad," Rell continued. "This investigation is extremely active – although, for obvious reasons, we cannot discuss any details.

            Rell said she wanted to highlight several key issues for the public:

• "The heroic actions of the street vendors in Times Square Saturday night – rightly recognized as potentially saving lives – set exactly the right example for everyone in our state. The simple fact is that while we should never live our lives in fear, we must also never risk complacency. The public must become a partner with law enforcement – and if you see something, say something. In Connecticut, the toll-free number to call if you see anything suspicious is 866-HLS-TIPS (866-4578477).
• "Connecticut's State Police and homeland security officials will continue their high-visibility, regular law enforcement patrols.
• "In addition, we are using federal funds to launch a new anti-explosives unit (one sergeant, three troopers and specially trained canines) that will rotate patrols among the state's rail, ferry and bus stations as well as municipal airports. (Bradley International Airport already has such a unit.)
• "We are also increasing patrols under the VIPR (Visible Intermodal Protection & Response) program, which involves personnel from the Transportation Security Administration, the Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security, the Metropolitan Transit Authority, State Police and municipalities.
• "And I am calling Connecticut's Congressional delegation – especially Senator Joe Lieberman, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs – to help us get a federal grant for additional security cameras at train car storage areas and on passenger platforms.

"We are clearly very fortunate that the attempted attack on Saturday was a failure," Rell said. "The investigation will continue and we will work closely with authorities at all levels to bring anyone involved to justice."