July 05, 2009

NYPD gets radiation detectors to search for bombs

ANI

NEW YORK — The US Department of Homeland Security has given three state-of-the-art radiation detectors to the New York Police Department to patrol city streets in search of dirty bombs and other nuclear threats.

The 450,000-dollar worth Advanced Spectroscopic Portal Monitors will be placed in three SUVs on Wednesday at entrances to tunnels, bridges and tollbooths, the Daily News reports.

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The detectors had been purchased by DHS' National Nuclear Detection Office for use at the nation's ports, but officials concluded they weren't strong enough to penetrate ship containers, police sources said.

Officials believe they will be able to detect radioactive isotopes emanating from a dirty bomb in the back of a car.

"We think they'll be useful getting hits on vehicles on the road," a NYPD official said.

Recently, the department had also purchased 8,000 Dosimeters, pager-sized detectors to be given to police if there is a nuclear attack.

Outfitted in protective gear, officers would use the Dosimeters to find "hot spots" of radiation.

Additionally, sources said the NYPD will station a sophisticated radiation-detecting device at this weekend's July 4 celebration at the retired battleship Intrepid.

The Thermo is used up to a dozen times a year and is stationed at the main entrance to a sensitive target.

It has previously been used at the U.S. Open Tennis tournament, the New Year's Eve celebration in Times Square, and at meetings of the United Nations General Assembly, sources said.

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