How to protect Times Square -- and other highly traveled areas

even greater vigilance. It is great that the vendor noticed the smoking SUV; patrolling cops should step up their surveillance of things that are standing still, as well as things that are moving. Some states allow scanning of license plates, which can then be run through systems to check for possible trouble — generally, parking violations. But a system like that could also allow law enforcement to act prophylactically against a threat.

3. Give people a way to call in a threat. The city has been scaling back the number of call boxes around town in an effort to cut costs. Not such a great idea, says Aviv, especially given the number of foreigners in the city whose cell phones may not work, and who may not know to call 911 anyway.

4. Use more — and more artful — blast mitigation techniques. Concrete-filled planters, topped with geraniums might be nice. Sculpture. Trees. All of those things act as shields, should a bomb go off. “Think of the White House,” Aviv says. “Those trees are there for a reason.”

5. Teach the kids: “If you see something, say something.” In Israel, Aviv says, every single person, from children to adults, know exactly what to do if they see an unattended package or suitcase. “The greatest technology in the world can’t replace training the population,” he says. “New York does a much better job than anywhere else in the States, but that drill is also the single biggest way to combat a threat.”

6. Coordinate CCTV cameras better. Imagine Chloe on 24: In this season’s thriller, which happens to be New York-based, she can instantly pull up the video from any camera in the ‘hood. Not so for the actual NYPD, which has to run around trying to figure out which cameras on which private businesses might have picked up a shot.

7. Install blast mitigation film on windows. “More people die from flying glass than from the attack itself,” Aviv says. Imagine if the Starbucks on 42nd and Broadway had such film — which is like Saran Wrap and can be installed after the fact — on its windows. It would slow down robbers, stop vandals, and slow down a blast wave.

Tischler writes that Aviv is quick to point out that he has nothing but respect for the rapid and impressive work of law enforcement agencies on this case. “This is a testament to a great response,” he says. “This is closer to 24 than anything we’ve ever seen.”