Judge eyes the ‘wall’ streets
A JUDGE wants to see for herself the security measures Financial District residents are calling a “Berlin Wall.”
At a hearing in Manhattan Supreme Court on Thursday, Justice Margaret Chan said she’d take a “field trip” with the lawyers on the case to inspect the perimeter of the site.
Residents say the NYPD’s security plan will result in partial or complete closure of Vesey, Liberty, Greenwich and Fulton Sts., and the planned installa- tion of security guard posts and buffers will make their homes feel like militarized zones.
Lawyer Albert Butzel said no one is more aware of the dangers of terrorism than his clients.
“They know 9/11 — they came face to face with it,” Butzel said. But he argues the NYPD plan is overkill and fails to take into account the people who live in the area.
City lawyer Amy McCamphill said residents’ concerns were considered by the NYPD.
She also said that while some vehicle access will be limited, pedestrian access won’t be affected and transit improvements make it easier for residents to get around the city.
“I’m summing up the proceeding as . . . Liberty St. does not want to be renamed No Liberty St.,” she quipped.