The MTA is behind schedule on making subway passengers safe and has little money to do anything about it, a report released yesterday by state Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli said.
“The MTA is struggling to bring the security of its system into the 21st century, but the project is taking too long, costing too much, and there is no end in sight,” DiNapoli said in a statement.
He credits the MTA police for improving overall safety since 9/11, but said the agency’s electronic security plan — managed by Lockheed Martin — to put in motion detectors, cameras and other devices has ballooned from $265 million to $461 million and is in “disarray.” One component to automatically detect unattended packages was cut when it proved unworkable.
Lockheed sued to get out its contract in April 2009. The MTA countersued and fired the company in 2009.
“We are not waiting for the outcome of ongoing litigation to secure our transit network and will finish the project with available funds,” the MTA said in a statement yesterday. “Additionally, we have already installed more than 2,300 cameras in our subways alone and will continue our efforts to provide real-time alarms and situational awareness.”
