Jane Jacobs and the Times Square Bomb

Kaplan writes, "Jacobs, who died in 2006, would not have been surprised to learn that it was two street vendors who first notified police of the suspicious Nissan Pathfinder parked on West 45th Street just off Broadway.

Lance Orton and Duane Jackson, both disabled Vietnam War veterans who were hailed as heroes after their roles in the foiling became clear, have been keeping their "eyes upon the street" for years and-like many of their fellow vendors-have frequently tipped off police to strange and illegal activities."

Kaplan also notes that security cameras may be effective in crimefighting after all.