The NYPD is again stepping up counter-terrorism efforts around New York City Tuesday following a series of deadly terrorist attacks in Belgium overnight.
Although there appears to be no local link to the attacks, the NYPD nonetheless dispatched additional resources to “crowded areas and transit locations around the city out of an abundance of caution,” according to Deputy Commissioner for Public Information Stephen P. Davis.
The extra officers, who are members of various counter-terrorism units within the NYPD, aim to “provide police presence and public reassurance as we closely follow the developing situation overseas,” Davis said. The NYPD is closely monitoring the situation in Belgium in partnership with the FBI and the Joint Terrorism Task Force.
Governor Andrew Cuomo further directed the New York National Guard and the Port Authority Police Department to increase patrols at both LaGuardia and John F. Kennedy Airports. The New York State Police and MTA Police are also bolstering patrols at major transit hubs and bridges and tunnels across the region.
“The senseless attacks that struck the people of Belgium earlier today have left us all stunned and heartbroken,” Cuomo said in a statement Tuesday morning. “These were acts of pure evil that have claimed the lives of people who were doing nothing more than going about their days. 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.”
Simultaneous bombings occurred across the Belgian capital city of Brussels at about 3 a.m. Tuesday New York Time (8 a.m. in Brussels) at its major international airport and a subway station. The New York Times reported that at least 26 people were killed in the attacks that authorities believe were perpetrated by suicide bombers.
The bombings occurred days after Belgian authorities apprehended in Brussels the last of 10 terrorists responsible for the November 2015 terrorist attacks in Paris, France.
Local elected officials took to Twitter to offer their sympathies to the victims.
May the Lord comfort the families of those slain in today’s horrific attacks & have mercy on all the people of Brussels. We’re not afraid.
— Council member Wills (@CM_RubenWills) March 22, 2016
Thoughts and prayers with victims and families of the #BrusselsAttacks
— Letitia James (@TishJames) March 22, 2016
My prayers are with the victims of the terrorist attacks in Brussels this morning.
— Donovan Richards (@DRichards13) March 22, 2016