On the same day that attempted Times Square bomber Faisal Shahzad faced sentencing for his crimes, over 470 members of the Operation Shield program gathered at NYPD Headquarters in Lower Manhattan to discuss “Countering Terrorism through Information Sharing,” the organization’s slogan. The group is comprised of private security personnel worldwide and today members from the tri-state area (NY, NJ and CT) listened as members of the NYPD Counterterrorism Bureau speak about Al Qaeda-rooted threats, both international and domestic, and what tactics can be used to deter terrorists targeting hotels and businesses.
An unscripted moment occurred when Deputy Chief Michael Blake relayed a message from NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly who was sitting nearby: Faisal Shahzad, the Times Square attempted bomber who had pled guilty in June to a 10-count indictment was sentenced just around the corner in federal court to life in prison. Applause erupted in the two-story auditorium.
