Law & Order: Criminal Justice System

December 29, 1975. LaGuardia Airport, New York City.

The terminal buzzed with holiday travelers. Kids darted into shops for last-minute candy. Gate announcements echoed from the speakers. But at 6:33 PM, everything changed. A massive explosion tore through the TWA baggage claim area, leaving eleven people dead and over seventy injured. As the smoke cleared, survivors desperately searched for loved ones amidst the chaos. It was in that moment America realized the threat of terrorism on its soil was real.

The LaGuardia Airport bombing marked a turning point in how New York City and the nation approached terrorism. It ignited a fundamental shift in security, leading to the creation of the Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) and revolutionizing counter-terrorism efforts in the U.S.

Season Two explores the formation of the JTTF against the backdrop of a city grappling with high crime rates and the lingering fear of organized crime. We dive into its early days, the challenges it faced, and the key cases that defined its mission. From investigating the LaGuardia Airport bombing to tackling international and domestic terrorism, we’ll examine how the JTTF became a critical force in counter-terrorism and shaped the city’s fight against an evolving threat.

Listen now on iHeart Podcasts and Apple Podcasts.