Security directors throughout the theatre district have been advised by the NYPD and the Times Square Business Improvement District (TS-BID) about a possible security issue in connection to the coming May Day Demonstration.

Details are scarce and NYPD sources responsible for the alert were not available at press time but one police spokesperson verified that a "significantly larger detail" would be on hand May 1. "In the past, the May 1 event has had an amnesty theme," the spokesperson said, "but now there are those who have their own agenda."

The TS/BID alert was based on NYPD information. A statement reported that "based on the events in Seattle and Washington D.C., relative to demonstrations involving the World Trade Organization and International Monetary Fund meetings, building and security directors should be aware that protestors will be scouting with video cameras to trespass inside said buildings to hang banners for the scheduled May Day Demonstration. Some of the excuses may be that they are doing architectural or college course work. They will want to video entire interior of buildings and include in the video any security measure in place by your organization at the internal secured doors."

In the past, the NYPD said, door mechanisms have been taped open and any messengers entering buildings between now and May 4 "should be given careful attention."

The NYPD posted a number to call for any activity that might seem suspicious: Call Patrol Borough Manhattan South, Lt. Slifkin at (212) 477 7430 or 911 for police emergency. -- By Murdoch McBride