Prudential Workers Unfazed by Threat
By Daniel Hays
NU Online News Service, Aug. 3, 12:02 p.m. EDT?The Prudential Financial's headquarters building in Newark, N.J., which was identified Sunday as a potential terrorist target, had tight security yesterday, but the usual turnout of employees, a company spokesperson said.[@@]
Worker attendance "for a Monday in August was fairly normal" and it was "business as usual with the exception of security," said Laurita Warner, speaking for the company.
On Sunday, the 24-story high rise on Broad Street, which looms large in the city's center, had concrete safety barriers emplaced around it.
Yesterday, Democratic Gov. James McGreevey and U.S. Sen. Jon Corzine visited with employees and discussed security with the media.
In addition to extra Prudential private security forces, more Newark police were on hand and some employee cars entering the underground parking garage were given an additional once over.
Ms. Warner said the insurer was having voluntary "Town Hall meetings" to brief the 6,000 company employees and take questions. About 1,000 employees work at the main Broad Street building and 5,000 work in buildings nearby.
Adoption of the new security measures follows the publication of reports warning that Al Qaeda-sponsored terrorists have planned attacks on leading U.S. financial institutions.
In addition to Prudential's headquarters, the threats refer to the New York Stock Exchange and the headquarters of Citigroup Inc. New York.
The company plans to keep employees informed regularly about security measures, and also is making counselors available through its regular employee assistance program to those who need to talk about their fears, a spokesman said.
Heightened security measures also were in place at Exchange Place in Jersey City, N.J., where a number of financial institutions relocated operations from the New York financial district following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorism attacks.
Dave DasGupta, a spokesman for the Insurance Services Office in Jersey City, which is adjacent to JPMorgan Chase building, said there were additional police patrolling on the sidewalk.
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