NYPD eases security but keeps high alert

The NYPD began throttling down some security measures put in place for the Sept. 11 anniversary, taking police off overtime and removing some vehicle checkpoints, police Commissioner Ray Kelly said Tuesday.

At the same time, police are keeping a higher-than-normal state of alert in the transit system, using bag searches in subways at a number of locations, Kelly explained.

"We are making judgments literally on an hourly basis," Kelly said of which security measures would continue and which would be phased out. "We don't like to show the same hand all the time, so we change our tactics."

At least some level of vehicle checkpoints and bag searches will continue for a period, said NYPD spokesman Paul Browne.

Kelly stressed that the continuing security measures, particularly in the transit system, weren't in response to any specific threats, noting that historically some 40 percent of terrorist incidents worldwide have involved transit systems.

Kelly also indicated that no new information has surfaced about the credibility of what officials called "specific" and "credible" intelligence received last week about a possible terror attack in time for the Sept. 11 anniversary. The intelligence information about the possible threat was "unresolved," said Kelly, indicating that officials in Washington were still following leads.

Asked if the recent terrorism alert may have scared off potential plotters, Kelly said, "We certainly hope so."

Earlier, with the Jewish High Holy Days approaching at the end of the month, Kelly told a group of Jewish community leaders and clergy at police headquarters that officers will deploy additional resources to precincts with large Jewish communities, including added foot patrols and police cars. Some synagogues may receive unannounced visits from heavily armed Hercules anti-terror teams, said Kelly.