New Yorkers Say We're Not Ready

CBS 2 - New York News | cbsnewyork.com

New Yorkers Say We're Not Ready

* Subways, Water Supply, Grand Central and Airports Are Main Cause for Concern

Apr 5, 2005 1:50 pm US/Eastern

A majority of New Yorkers feel the city is not prepared to respond to a terrorist attack, according to a new poll released Tuesday.

Sixty-eight percent of those surveyed by the Marist College Institute for Public Opinion said the city does not have an adequate emergency response plan.

The poll found that only 32 percent of the city's residents have confidence in the government to protect its subways and bridges; 39 percent expressed confidence that the city it could protect its water supply; 44 percent said the city could protect Grand Central Terminal; and 45 percent said it could protect the airports.

Fifty-three percent said they were confident the city could protect historic sites such as the Empire State Building and the Statute of Liberty.

Overall, however, New Yorkers are slightly less worried about an attack than they were last fall. Fifty-one percent said they worried about it -- compared to 60 percent last September.

More than 3 1/2 years after the collapse of the World Trade Center towers, the poll found that 73 percent of residents do not believe the federal government has given New York City its fair share of money to combat future terrorism.

When asked if they had an emergency plan in place for family members, 35 percent of New Yorkers said they had some semblance of a plan in the event of a terrorist attack. Twenty-three percent said they have put together basic necessities such as food and water, a flashlight, a portable radio and a meeting place for family members.

The poll surveyed 1,012 New Yorkers by telephone on March 9-15. The margin of error is plus or minus 3 percentage points.