Even Calvin Trillin Knows Deep Down That Cars Just Don’t Belong In Manhattan

The New York International Auto Show attracts a rough crowd:

As the New York International Auto Show opens its doors to the public tomorrow, law enforcement officials and car companies will be ramping up security — and concerns go beyond terrorist threats.

In the past decade, the week-long auto show at the Jacob K, Javits Convention Center has been the site of a stabbing, numerous thefts, such as of gas caps and fuses, and multiple acts of vandalism, including slashed cushions and key-scratched doors, an official at General Motors who works at the convention each year said. The official asked not to be identified.

There has been a distinct increase in security levels over the past three years, since an alleged gang member was arrested for inciting a riot in 2004, Sergeant Ken Cano of the New York State Police, the department in charge of policing the state-run convention center, said.

As the press descended on the convention center yesterday, security was light. It isn’t until Friday, when the show is opened to the public that crimes generally occur, officials said. Mr. Cano said Easter Sunday is an especially popular day for criminal activity.