Police response to NYC bomb scare impeded by anti-Israel protestors
A chaotic scene unfolded in New York City on Saturday when a crude, potentially explosive device was spotted in the back of a rideshare vehicle, as the Daily Mail reports.
The situation was further complicated by the presence of anti-Israel protestors taking part in a so-called “global day of action,” who impeded the progress of first responders attempting to assess and address the risk, which could have been substantial, given the size of the crowds on the street at the time.
According to reports, the scenario occurred near 42nd Street and 7th Avenue in Midtown Manhattan.
That is where the driver of the Uber vehicle at issue glanced into the backseat and spotted what appeared to be an explosive device.
From there, the Uber driver made contact with police, and the NYPD's Bomb Squad and Emergency Services Units were swiftly dispatched.
However, the pro-Palestinian contingent in the streets effectively blocked police from making their way through the crowd in attempts to reach the car in which the device was located.
Ultimately, a sufficient path was cleared, a security perimeter established around the car, and an evacuation order given in the area around the vehicle, which was said to have been a Nissan Altima.
Eventually, sources inside the NYPD indicated to the media that the grenade-like device had been determined to be inert, giving rise to a sense of great relief among those responding to the scene and those watching the emergency unfold on television.
Once the situation was fully assessed, NYPD Deputy Operations Commissioner Kaz Daughtry commented on X about what occurred with regard to the protestors, writing, Happy Saturday to all! Except the people who thought it was a good idea to block an NYPD ESU vehicle on the way to a bomb threat call. They will be spending their Saturday where they belong – in jail!”
Unfortunately, Saturday's incident was not the only recent scare of its type in the greater New York City area, as PIX 11 reported.
A suspicious parcel was found in the borough of Queens, and due to fears that it contained explosives, a building evacuation was ordered.
The shoebox containing the unusual items was discovered at a structure located on Queens Boulevard just before noon on the day in question.
Inside the container, police discovered a bundle of brown sticks approximately one-inch in diameter each that were bound together with multi-colored wires, giving the distinct appearance of a dangerous explosive device.
The NYPD Bomb Squad was called to the scene and officers transported the item for further examination which, in the end, revealed the object to have been inert, but at least in that case, the first responders' movements were not blocked by throngs of uncooperative protestors.