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Commuters may notice a heavier than usual police presence on trains and subways, specialized counter-terrorist units patrolling possible targets and an increase in police patrols near busy roadways, parks and other gathering places.
Officials said that there will also be heavy weapons teams, K-9 Units and a host of uniformed and plainclothes police officers at this weekend’s New York City Marathon, which is expected to draw more than 2 million people to the area, making it a prime target for an attack.
"As former commander in the NYPD, I can assure the people of Rockland County that there is a top-notch public safety component in place to keep us safe. As always, if you see something, say something," Rockland County Executive Ed Day said. "Many people who live in Rockland County work in New York City. Members of the NYPD and FDNY are among them. We hope and pray that they and all first-responders are safe. And we grieve for the lives lost today.”
Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino said that Hudson Valley police officers have been dispatched to Manhattan to assist the NYPD on Tuesday, and would remain there as long as they were required. Astorino added that officers from the region working with the Joint Terrorism Task Force are actively assisting state and federal agencies.
Extensive counter-terrorism training began even before the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, Astorino said. He noted that police officers carry radiation detecting pagers to detect a dirty bomb and both the Aviation and Marine Units are regularly deployed to conduct patrols around “critical infrastructure.”
Bomb Squads are also equipped to handle incidents that involve chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive devices.
The state is increasing security around busy areas of the city, including airports, tunnels, bridges, commuter stations, Times Square and other large gathering areas in the Hudson Valley. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo ordered state agencies, the NYPD, National Guard and Homeland Security, “to increase security at high-profile locations around the state, including airports, bridges, tunnels, and mass transit systems.”
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