New York, NY – 100 Blacks in Law Enforcement along with Representative Greg Meeks (D-Queens) and 32BJ today released a report, commissioned by 32BJ, that reveals serious security concerns at New York’s most prominent landmark building.

"Our undercover security assessment of the Empire State Building revealed security shortcomings, including major gaps in building access, staff structure and procedures, basic equipment and training," said Eric Adams, President of 100 Blacks in Law Enforcement. "Building management must provide security officers with the state-of-the-art security training they need to keep the building safe and secure."

Highlights of the report include:

• survey team member was able to enter and pass through security with a fully loaded 15 round semi-automatic weapon magazine
• Unrestricted access to floors.
• Incomplete safety equipment, such as portable communications radios and flashlights, for building security officers
• No physical barriers in loading dock area to prevent a Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Device (VBIED)
• Little, if any advanced state-of-the-art security training

(A full copy of the report is available here ESB-report1.pdf)

"Five years after 9/11, New York’s most famous building should not still be so vulnerable to an attack," said Rep. Greg Meeks. "The owners of the Empire State Building and other office buildings have a responsibility to their tenants to provide security officers with the latest, post-9/11 security training."

Most security officers employed by Copstat at the Empire State Building earn less than $10/hr, receive no affordable health care and little, if any, state-of-the-art security training. In addition to higher wages and affordable health care, 32BJ has stressed the need for state-of-the art security training. The union’s 40-hour New York Safe & Secure training program, which has been endorsed by Mayor Bloomberg and Police Commissioner Kelly, provides security officers with the skills they need to keep all New Yorkers safe and secure and to get ahead in their jobs.

"The owners of the Empire State Building have failed to provide their tenants and the people of New York with an acceptable level of security at New York’s most visible landmark," said Kevin Doyle, 32BJ Executive Vice President. "This report confirms what we have long suspected: Peter Malkin of the Empire State Building is not providing security officers with the training and the equipment they need to keep us safe and secure."