The real story here is a that an immigrant was able to build a bomb at work, strap it to himself, and walk right into Times Square with ease.
That is chilling.
The terminal is the busiest bus station in the nation. The amount of foot traffic is mind boggling. The best place to hide is in plain sight.
I often take the LIRR into Penn Station, a similar amount of foot traffic at one of the busiest train stations in the nation. The NYPD is present, Port Authority police, State police, National Guard troops, all in uniform and plain clothes. I always carry, and when wearing a jacket, the bulge under my arm is obvious. I have never been stopped or questioned in Penn Station. I have been stopped and questioned on the streets of Manhattan by NYPD uniformed and plain clothed. I keep a copy of my permit on the outside of my holster, so I can display it without reaching toward my firearm, simply by lifting my jacket from the bottom in a non threatening move. I also keep my retirement ID on the holster with a photo of my shield. Granted, I'm old, walk with a cane, but there is nothing stopping old crippled men from committing crimes. Some of the old men and women I know are far more dangerous than younger people.
Especially the women.
Point being, it could be anyone, not only an immigrant who could pose a threat to people in crowded venues.
Recently, the media here reported the arrest of a 54 year old white man, who had 38 assorted hand guns and rifles in his home, along with more than 30 black powder pipe bombs. He had no record with police authorities, never received any behavioral complaints, worked in an industrial hardware small business for 30 years, unmarried, no known friends or living relatives, living in his parents house, and they were deceased. Police came to his door, as part of a community policing effort, to introduce themselves, hand out a flier with emergency phone numbers and other city resources. He decided to invite them inside so he could show off his gun collection. Someone like him could be living on your block, maybe even next door, and you might be saying hello everytime you encounter him. Then one day, he thinks you snubbed him and ............ your garage is blown up. I know you loved that old baby blue Dodge Dart, but c'est le guerre.