"DNC SECURITY UNDERMINED by MBTA...PUBLIC SAFETY COMPROMISED"
by Letters

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) disregarded recommendations from the MBTA Police with reference to bomb resistant trash cans to be deployed for Public Safety before the upcoming Democratic National Convention (DNC).

The MBTA has decided to purchase 220 bomb resistant trash cans with less than 1/3 the explosive protection ratings (1.6 lb. TNT) than has already been exposed and continues to be exposed to the terrorists. Proof was provided to the MBTA that the protective capabilities (5.5 lb. TNT) for their existing bomb resistant trash cans is publicized online and to regain an edge over the terrorists the MBTA Police recommended higher explosives rated trash cans. The MBTA disregarded this recommendation, which will create a very large security gap preceding, during, and following the DNC.

The MBTA Police recommended that all bomb resistant trash cans being considered for deployment were subject to stringent testing parameters that replicate a real life deployment. To ensure the legitimacy of the product and to make certain taxpayer's dollars were not wasted, the MBTA Police recommended the MBTA require a test report and supporting product testing video from a recognized US testing facility be submitted by all vendors. Since the purpose of these trash cans is to contain explosions without fragmenting, the MBTA Police recommended that the test report and supporting product testing video prove that the outer wall remained unpenetrated and that the lid and all components of the same remained attached during testing. The MBTA disregarded all of the above, creating a real concern for Public Safety.
 
The MBTA, which received federal funding for this procurement, even disregarded the Buy American Act requirement.

Foreign manufactured bomb resistant trash cans will be deployed by the MBTA despite the fact they cannot pass explosive tests replicating a real life deployment, the amount of explosives required to defeat them is publicized online, and the protective ratings are less than 1/3 those already exposed to the terrorists.

After repeated attempts to determine why the recommendations of the MBTA Police were disregarded and why decisions were made which clearly compromise public safety, no satisfactory explanations have been provided by the MBTA.

Anonymous