Fighting terrorism in New York City

10-03-2011 • ww.cbsnews.com

As the top terror target in America, New York City has taken every measure to defend itself from another 9/11. The New York Police Department's counter-terrorism unit is one of the most sophisticated in the world - complete with sea, land and air capabilities all dedicated to thwarting an attack. Correspondent Scott Pelley gets a personal tour from the anti-terror unit's architect and leader, NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly.

The following script is from "The counter-terrorism bureau" which aired on Sept. 25, 2011.

This week, the United Nations General Assembly is in New York with 137 heads of State moving all over town. No city, at any time, has a security challenge like that. And this year it comes as U.S. intelligence is investigating "credible information" that terrorists want to target New York with a car bomb.

After 9/11, New York City decided that it would never leave itself vulnerable to terrorism again. So Ray Kelly, the police commissioner, began to build something unique. Kelly tends to get things done. He was born in New York City 70 years ago. Fought with the Marines in Vietnam, joined the NYPD as a cadet, and along the way picked up a law degree and a master's degree from Harvard.

"60 Minutes Overtime"
Germ and gas warfare, circa 1968: A look back at a landmark "60 Minutes" report

Now, 10 years after 9/11, with an investment of billions of dollars, Kelly has created, what he believes, is the most powerful and technologically advanced counter-terrorism bureau that anyone has ever seen.

By air, land and sea - the nation's largest counter-terrorism squad is on the beat in America's largest city. One thousand officers - many of them armed like soldiers - are part of a presence that is meant to send a message: New York City is too tough a target. NYPD counter-terrorism is the creation of police Commissioner Ray Kelly.