Even with a terrorism-induced increase in police presence, a track fire in a Brooklyn subway tunnel crippled the transit system for hours last Tuesday. Four-thousand passengers on Brooklyn-bound B and D trains found themselves inexplicably stationary on the Manhattan Bridge. From there, the crisis followed the city’s blueprint for emergency management: officials left citizens in the dark while they stumbled over the problem in private. With no instructions, explanation for the stop or even air conditioning, passengers perspired from both heat and anxiety as more than 100 firefighters and emergency workers descended on the scene. After more than an hour’s time, officials used ladders and planks to lead passengers onto the bridge, which stifled all traffic and a handful of other train lines. At least 25 people were treated for smoke inhalation and other maladies, while the remaining 3,975 were left to travel on foot. This result is particularly surprising due to its location. With bridges ranking as a top priority for terrorism precautions, it’s a wonder the situation was handled so sluggishly, causing one man to reportedly relieve himself in the back of the train. I guess even in the most dire situations, New Yorkers need to be wallowing in their own urine before emergency services spring to action.