BLOG PUBLISHES FIRST IN A NEW SERIES OF ARTICLES, "CRIME IN MOTION," BY DANIEL B. ZUKOWSKI

    /24-7PressRelease/ - NEWPORT BEACH, CA, August 29, 2005 — "OP-ED: Dan Zukowski," the web log of transportation writer Daniel B. Zukowski, at www.danzukowski.com, has just published the first in a new series of articles exploring the history of train and transit crimes.

"The London and Madrid bombings are the most recent examples of attacks on rail and transit systems around the world," says Zukowski. "Although they represent a frightening escalation, these attacks are only the latest in a criminal history which dates back to the mid-19th century, when railroads in the United States and elsewhere first became attractive targets."

Part I of the series, "The Three First Train Robberies," looks at the early history of this crime, and the competing claims for "first train robbery" in the United States. The article notes that the wave of great train robberies seems to have arisen from the confluence of three events: "First, of course, was the rise of railroads in the U.S. as important conveyors of people and goods. Second, the end of the Civil War left adrift a large number of hardened men looking for excitement and money. Third, the railway express business presented an enticing target."

Future articles in the series will look at high-profile cases in depth, examine the issues of prevention and response, and discuss security concerns for the future. The blog has already posted several articles reporting on and examining contemporary transit security issues following the London attacks in July, including "Can Mass Transit Be Secured?," "Mass (Transit) Hysteria" and "Feet of Clay."

Daniel B. Zukowski is a freelance writer and publishes a Web log that focuses on transportation, trade and media issues. Recent Op-Eds by Zukowski have appeared in the San Francisco Chronicle and the Roanoke Times. He has appeared on national cable networks and been quoted in the Washington Post. Growing up in New York City, the author rode subways, buses, commuter trains and intercity trains. Now residing in Southern California, he continues to rely on Amtrak and Metrolink.

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