Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Dirty Bomb Threat Response Scaled Back
By
Dave Hogarty
Published Aug 12, 2007
Modified Mar 7, 2008
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Dave Hogarty
Published Aug 12, 2007
Modified Mar 7, 2008
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
The NYPD is toning down its response to a threat of a radiological truck bomb that appeared on the Internet recently. The city established checkpoints and situated radiation detectors around the city in an attempt to thwart any threat, in stark contrast to other cities mentioned as possible targets, which appeared to shrug the threats off as unlikely.
The police deployed radiation sensors in police cars, boats, and helicopters Friday night, and groups of cops searched trucks and SUVs coming into the city. Efforts were curtailed by mid-Saturday, however, when no corroborating evidence of a legitimate threat could be validated by any intelligence agencies.
The initial threats were reported at the site Debka.com. They were apparently made in retaliation for the lack of seriousness with which al Qaeda threats of an embassy attack were treated. Despite the response to the recent threat, the city's alert level never rose above the previous and current "orange" level.
(Image from Bomb Squad!, by ianqui at flickr)
Tagged
alert
bomb
internet
News: NYC
nypd
photos
police
the city
The NYPD
Dave Hogarty
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Early Addition: New Jersey considering a ban on chewing gum because of microplastics
Because New Jersey is just trying to keep its people safe, here are your early links: Early voters get a spooky sticker, Tom Hanks returning to Broadway, a time capsule letter to the NYC mayor in 2026 and more.
By
James Ramsay
Published Oct 23, 2026 at 8:48 a.m. ET
Queens mother charged with murdering her son after failed suicide attempt, NYPD says
Sukken Wong, 62, allegedly stabbed her nonverbal son, Byran Wong, 25, to death.
By
Brittany Kriegstein
News
Queens mother charged with murdering her son after failed suicide attempt, NYPD says
Sukken Wong, 62, allegedly stabbed her nonverbal son, Byran Wong, 25, to death.
By
Brittany Kriegstein
Your guide to voting in New York's 2026 elections for governor and Congress
By
Walter Wuthmann
,
Jon Campbell
and
Brigid Bergin
Forest Hills Stadium can keep its concerts under deal with neighbors
By
Ryan Kost
NYC Council to grill Mamdani officials on collapsed Hunts Point Produce Market deal
By
Elizabeth Kim
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .