New York, And Other Major Cities, On High Alert After Paris Attacks

Law enforcement officials and transportation agencies are beefing up security in several major cities after the Paris terrorist attacks.

On Saturday, New Yorkers gathered around the arch in Washington State Park to mourn those who were killed in the Paris terrorist attacks. New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio attended the ceremonies.

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said that on Saturday he told state agencies to be on high alert, and they have added security around trains, bridges, and popular tourists locations.

According to the Democratic governor, the state Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services will increase its monitoring of large public gatherings, which includes sporting venues in New York. The New York State Police, along with the state National Guard are increasing surveillance of transportation venues and will be adding additional officers at large public gatherings.

“The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey’s police force will increase its presence and monitoring at the agency’s bridge, tunnel, rail, World Trade Center and other facilities,” said Mr. Cuomo said.

New York authorities will be placing plainclothes officers at Penn Station, Grand Central Terminal, and other major stations that serve the Metro-North Railroad and Long Island Rail Road network. Police say there will also be additional police canine teams and there will be an additional security checks on bags.

According to an interview that New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio did with NBC New York on Friday, New York Police Departments are on high alert. NYPD’s antiterrorism officers have been deployed to the United Nations and the French Consulate.

“Thank God there’s no specific threats toward New York City that we know of,” Mr. de Blasio said. “We believe this…is isolated to Paris. But it is a very, very painful thing to see Paris go through this again.”

When the New York police officers heard of the attacks on Friday, their counterterrorism officers were sent out to high-profile locations in New York with heavy weapons, according to a memo sent out by Chief of Department James O’Neill, who is the NYPD’s top uniformed officer.

Other states are on high alert too.

Connecticut State Police have taken extra security measures on Metro-North Railroad trains and at Bradley International Airport near Hartford. Thus far, there have not been any threats to either the airport or the trains.

Chicago Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy said there have not been any threats in Chicago, but they are monitoring events.

“In the interest of public safety, we remain in constant contact with our federal and international partners to evaluate and respond to any changes in intelligence,” Mr. McCarthy said.

Government Tom Wolf, said he wasn’t aware of any threats in Pennsylvania, but Philadelphia had increased security around the city due to the Paris attacks.

Boston officers said they are deploying unspecified additional resources across the city “out of an abundance of caution,” but so far, there were no “articulated” threats to the city.

Massachusetts police put more patrols in place near the State House in Boston, but they are not aware of any threats at this time either.

The Boston Police are discussing adding more security Saturday night for the hockey game between the Boston Bruins and the Detroit Red Wings, according to officer Stephen NcNulty. He said the departments already on alert because of the bombing at the city marathon in April, 2013.

We haven’t let our guard down,” Mr. McNulty said.

“Today, New Yorkers are joining together to remember the Parisians whose lives were tragically taken in yesterday’s attacks. Let us each take a moment to honor these victims and the people of Paris who are bravely soldiering on in the face of terrible loss,” de Blasio said. “New York City is proud to stand with France and share their clear message: these cruel attempts to intimidate and threaten the people of Paris will not succeed.”

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