“Suspicious Package” in Found in Washington: (Another) False Alarm

By Kristin

“It’s better to be safe than stupid,” says Larry Bravman, a Washington DC restaurant employee, “it’s when they stop checking these things out that something’s going to happen.”
But nothing did happen Monday July 16, 2007, a day police and bomb technicians swarmed Washington DC streets. Their target: a formerly inconspicuous green suitcase. And after being completely dismantled bomb technician Paul Friedlander, it was regarded as nothing more than a false alarm. Soon after, streets that were blocked off, people and traffic held up by the commotion, and anything displaced by the suspicious package returned to their normal activity as if nothing had ever happened.
Though once noted as an inconvenience, routine checks such as these have become exactly that. In fact, since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 “threats” such as the green suitcase are reported nearly twice as often. Objects such as a dirty diaper, a bobble head doll, and a child’s backpack are among this list of threats.
Washington DC is not the only city caught in this paradox. In New York City, what was once a mere 814 reports per year (in 2002), now stands at 37,614. In Boston, these reports have tripled since 2001.
With inconveniences such as these occurring more and more often with each passing year, a question is left in the minds of residents of major cities everywhere: Is it really better to be safe than stupid?
New York police department spokesman Paul Browne says it is.
“Someday vigilance may save lives,” he confirms.
The progressive safety measures being taken may in fact be the closest thing to absolute safety. It does seem as if these extreme safety measures are here to stay. The public is highly encouraged by police departments everywhere to continue being cautious, and one day it may be responsible for the saving of lives.


Boston Herald

CNN.com