The deadly terrorist attacks in Brussels that have left more than 30 dead have prompted police in New York and Los Angeles to heighten security in certain locations.
The New York Police Department said via Twitter on Tuesday that it has started a 50-plus officer unit “dedicated to subways near Times Square, for crime & counter-terror.”
During a press conference Tuesday, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said that there’s “no specific or credible threat” to the city. He did, however, announce via Twitter that police are “on increased alert” across the city.
“We will not live in fear,” de Blasio added.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Tuesday that the National Guard will provide additional security detail at JFK International Airport, will have 400 service members on duty in the New York area and is adding additional service members at locations including JFK and LaGuardia airports.
New York State Police have also assigned state troopers to Penn and Grand Central Stations, along with the Queens-Midtown Tunnel and the George Washington Bridge. The Port Authority, meanwhile, has increased its police presence at “all of its airports, bridges, tunnels and the World Trade Center, as well as the PATH and Port Authority Bus Terminal,” Cuomo said.
“The senseless attacks that struck the people of Belgium earlier today have left us all stunned and heartbroken. These were acts of pure evil that have claimed the lives of people who were doing nothing more than going about their days,” Cuomo said in a statement. “My heart grieves for all those who have been impacted, and as we learn more about these attacks, New York will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with the international community against terrorism – as the world has done for us in the past.”
A spokesman for the Los Angeles Police Department told TheWrap that the department will be heightening security in multiple locations. The spokesman was unable to offer specifics regarding which locations will experience heightened security. However, according to TMZ, landmarks including the Hollywood and Highland complex, the Grove mall and Los Angeles International Airport are among them.
We’ve started a 50+ officer unit dedicated to subways near Times Square, for crime & counterterror. –@CommissBratton pic.twitter.com/ATXTXn801L
— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) March 22, 2016
The collaboration & deployments by NYPD & our partners were evident as I rode the subway this AM. –@CommissBratton pic.twitter.com/4KiZSCYncR
— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) March 22, 2016
Sending strength to @CharlesMichel and the people of #Brussels. @NYPDnews on increased alert across NYC. We will not live in fear.
— Bill de Blasio (@BilldeBlasio) March 22, 2016