VERENA DOBNIK
Associated Press Writer
NEW YORK (AP) -- Crews carefully dismantled one of the most striking symbols of the World Trade Center disaster Wednesday, taking apart a jagged seven-story section of steel facade that is the last bit of the twin towers still standing.
The section had dwindled to four stories by Wednesday morning, with some pieces preserved in case they are wanted for a memorial. The demolition was erratic because of the heartbreaking work being done by crews looking for the 6,347 people missing in the ruins.
``It's real slow because whenever we find a body part, we've got to stop and let them come in and investigate further,'' said Wayne Fallon, a heavy equipment engineer.
The facade, part of the base of the center's southern tower, has been one of the most photographed scenes of the devastation.
But civilians hoping to take pictures of it from police barricades a few blocks away were met by new signs warning that cameras and video equipment were forbidden and could be confiscated. Mayor Rudolph Giuliani issued the order Tuesday, saying the site is a crime scene.
Officer Michael DiFrancisco, standing guard at a barricade, said the ban was also ``out of respect for the families and all those concerned.'' The ban applies to journalists, unless they are in officially escorted pools.
History teacher Bill Homan, 27, had been in the financial district taking photos for several hours before he heard about the ban, but said he planned to continue. He said four of his friends from high school died in the attack.
``On TV, you've got all these preppy guys reporting from ground zero, but that's not even one 100th of what it really looks like,'' Homan said.
As of Wednesday, 287 people had been confirmed dead in the Sept. 11 attack on the trade center.
Hoping to ease traffic congestion, Giuliani said single-occupant cars would be barred from entering Manhattan on the four East River bridges between the financial district and midtown, starting Thursday.
Bridges and tunnels into Manhattan were choked with traffic for hours Tuesday while police searched vehicles and inspected drivers' licenses.
The increased security began shortly before Attorney General John Ashcroft told Congress that terrorists may be planning an attack using a truck carrying hazardous chemicals.
The mayor said the city had not received any specific threats, but there was more attention given to warnings that in the past ``you would have said, 'There's another nut calling.'''
As work went on at the trade center site, returns continued to roll in from the mayoral primaries held Tuesday.
Billionaire media mogul Michael Bloomberg defeated former Rep. Herman Badillo for the Republican nomination. Public Advocate Mark Green will face Bronx Borough President Fernando Ferrer in an Oct. 11 runoff to decide the Democratic candidate in the Nov. 6 general election.
Giuliani is barred by term limits from running for a third term.
The city was to begin providing free legal assistance Wednesday to victims' families trying to obtain death certificates even though their loved ones' remains have not been found. That would make it easier for families to collect insurance benefits and workers' compensation and gain access to bank accounts.
Some families also are receiving grants up to $30,000 from the American Red Cross to help with short-term expenses.
The mayor, meanwhile, encouraged residents to get on with their lives.
``Life is risky,'' Giuliani said Tuesday. ``You can decide to live your life afraid of that happening, or you can decide to live your life the way Americans live their lives, which is unafraid.''
At ground zero, the demolition work kicked up dust and the sounds of drills filled the night. Rescue workers emerging from the area were applauded by bystanders. Nearby, sanitation workers hosed off streets as they prepared to reopen them to traffic.
Giuliani said the remaining chunk of facade had to be removed to make cleanup efforts safer and easier. He reassured residents that as much of the facade as possible would be saved in case it is wanted for a memorial.
Architect Alphonse Diaz, who watched the demolition, approved of the removal.
``It was unsafe. And who wants to be reminded anyway?'' he said.
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