Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority Police - Recent Incidents Involving BTO's

Recent Incidents Involving BTO's

• In 2007, BTO's were involved in two shootings, on the Triborough and Bronx Whitestone Bridges, and assisted in the delivery of a newborn baby.

• On July 4, 2008, a man wanted for threatening the lives of two Washington DC Police officers and for an outstanding felony warrant in New York was arrested by a BTO at the Triborough Bridge on 125th street in Manhattan after recognizing the man from a BOLO poster.

• In August 2008, BTO Daniel Bell was fired for starting a dispute with Wilfred Rattigan, a driver at his toll booth at the Queens Midtown tunnel. Rattigan, an FBI Agent, handed Bell 3 crumpled one dollar bills which Bell refused to take, saying it was MTA policy and the driver would need to straighten the bills himself. A heated exchange ensued, during which Bell called Rattigan "dude" and Rattigan demanded to see Bell's supervisor. After Bell requested his supervisor, Rattigan straightened out the bills and attempted to hand them to Bell, but he refused to take them, saying he had to wait for his boss to arrive. Rattigan then reached under his seat and pulled a black bag on his lap. Bell asked what was in the bag, and Rattigan responded "A weapon - and here is my identification". Bell ordered Rattigan to take his hands out of his pockets, but he continued to pull out his identification. Bell then drew his firearm on Rattigan and the other people in his car, and ordered them to put their hands on the dashboard or the seat in front of them. Bell was seen on camera searching Rattigan's car, and within seconds 8 other BTO's surrounded the car with their firearms drawn. Once it was confirmed Rattigan was an FBI Agent, he was sent on his way, and the next day he filed a complaint with the TBTA. A city administrative law judge heard the case, and Bell was fired for starting the dispute. It was later discovered that Bell received 9 complaints in 3 years relating to rudeness.