Lanza: State must do more to fight terror

 

Tuesday, October 24, 2006

By TOM WROBLESKI

GOP City Councilman and state Senate candidate Andrew Lanza said yesterday the state needs to do more to protect residents against terrorism, including stepped-up marine patrols and increased funding for security cameras and radiological "sniffing" devices.

"For all of us, the lesson of 9/11 is that we have a determined enemy seeking to destroy us," said Lanza (R-South Shore) at GOP campaign headquarters in Grant City.

Lanza is running to replace retiring state Sen. John Marchi (R-Staten Island).

While national defense is a federal responsibility, Lanza said states like New York also must "step up" and spend their own money on anti-terrorism measures, especially when it comes to securing transit hubs, bridges and port facilities.

"We have to have a local defense as well," he said. "It's up to the states to do what they can."

He said the Port Authority should increase coastline patrols, and that security cameras and radiological devices should be used near the Staten Island Ferry, the Staten Island Railway and other potential terrorist targets.

"It all begins and ends here," Lanza said. "If we can't keep ourselves safe, then everything else we fight for, in terms of quality of life, goes out the window."

He added that port workers, including those at the New York Container Terminal at Howland Hook, should undergo more comprehensive background checks, despite labor union opposition to such proposals.

"People want their own autonomy," he said. "But we can't ignore the reality: This is a point of vulnerability."

He added, "These are not budget-busting items. They're necessities. There's no way around it."

Attorney Matthew Titone is Lanza's Democratic opponent. Retired Defense Department worker Charles Pistor is running on the Conservative line.

Tom Wrobleski may be reached at wrobleski@siadvance.com. Read his polit.bureau blog at http://www.silive.com/newslogs/politics/

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