National Guard presence pared down in N.Y. subways

National Guard soldiers who patrolled New York City subways since the Sept. 11 attacks were quietly pared back in early July at the behest of the city Police Department, said state officials in a Newsday report. Soldiers are still posted at Grand Central Terminal and Penn Station, at both subway and commuter rail stations, said the paper. State officials said the troops, which were being paid by for by the state, left around the July 4 holiday after a federal terrorism alert level was lowered. The state is looking for federal reimbursement for the costs of the troops, said state officials. Subway riders had mixed feelings about the soldiers, according to the Newsday report. Some were comforted by their presence, while others were alarmed when faced with a heavily armed, camouflaged soldier by the turnstiles.