First alert on Canadian subway networks
By IANSMonday, March 29, 2010
TORONTO - For the first time in recent years, Canada put its subway networks on “extra alert” Monday after twin terrorist attacks in Moscow that killed 38 people.
In the country’s biggest city here, policemen could be seen patrolling subway stations of the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC).
“We haven’t officially heightened the security level in the subway system, but our special constables are extra alert on their patrols,” said TTC spokesman Danny Nicholson told the Canadian Press.
Security levels for the subway network were also stepped up in the second biggest city Montreal.
“Any event like this around the world has an impact on our system. We are reacting accordingly, but we cannot share the information with media because people with bad intentions will know what we are doing,” Sgt. Ian Lafreniere of the Montreal Police was quoted as saying.
In Calgary, subway official Ron Collins told the Canadian Press: “Calgary Transit (subway system) already has a vigilant security system in place with security cameras in every nook and cranny.”
In North America, it is usually New York and Washington subway systems that step up security levels after any major terror strike in the world.
Canadians have brought their security alerts in sync with the US after the failed bombing of a Northwest flight on Christmas day last year.
