Obama calls vendor to commend him for vigilance

Times Square vendor Duane Jackson has been swamped with praise since he alerted police Saturday about the suspicious SUV. And Monday the kudos came from the top: President Barack Obama telephoned the Westchester resident to commend him for his vigilance and for quickly alerting mounted NYPD Officer Wayne Rhatigan of Holbrook.

A White House official said Obama also "plans to call Officer Rhatigan to extend his thanks personally."

"The president conveyed his appreciation for the first responders and Officer Rhatigan to Mayor Bloomberg in a phone call Sunday and Mayor Bloomberg said he'd extend those thanks over dinner."