COMPTON, Calif. (AP) -- About 500 law enforcement personnel and volunteers staged a massive anti-terrorism drill Friday as a security expert from Greece reviewed the exercise in preparation for the 2004 Olympics in Athens.
The drills had officials from various local, state and federal agencies responding to hypothetical terrorists who spread toxic chemicals inside a performance theater and then flee in a vehicle.
After crashing the car, the terrorists commandeer a train and take hostages, leading to a standoff with SWAT teams when the train's power is cut off.
The standoff, occurring outside Compton's City Hall, ended with security teams storming the train and rescuing the hostages.
Dimosthenis Giannissopoulos, security chief for Athens' subway system, said he was impressed. He hopes to teach his own personnel similar tactics.
``It's going to be the safest, securest Olympic Games ever,'' said Giannissopoulos, who also met with local officials in 2002. ``In order for them to be so secure and safe, we're here to examine all possibilities and get all the answers for them.''
Up to 1.2 million passengers could travel Athens' subways each day during the Olympics, he said. He believes the drill will help his agency handle possible terrorist strikes involving chemical agents or hijackings.
Lt. Mike Parker of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, which oversaw the mock attacks, said his agency welcomed the chance to help.
``Policing is much like a family,'' Parker said. ``We're always willing to learn something new and willing to share that information with our family members.''
Other agencies participating in the drill included local fire departments, the FBI and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.
