Cuomo Urges New Yorkers to be Alert, Terror Warning Issued for July 4 Weekend

Governor Directs Office of Emergency
Management to Enhance Monitoring Operations 

Governor Andrew Cuomo today directed the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Office of Emergency Management to enhance monitoring of celebrations and events on Saturday, July 4 in light of the recent terror warning issued by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The Governor additionally urged New Yorkers to be alert and aware of any potential suspicious activity during the holiday weekend.

“We are keenly aware that New York State remains a top target for terrorists,” Governor Cuomo said. 

“In response to the warning by the federal government, New York State is taking steps to increase monitoring and communication with our local, state, and federal emergency management and law enforcement partners through the holiday weekend. As we celebrate with family and friends this Independence Day, I urge all New Yorkers to not only remember the freedoms that we hold dear, but also remain cautious of their surroundings and learn to recognize and report suspicious activity."

This Saturday through 11:00 p.m., additional staff will operate the Emergency Operations Center and the New York State Watch Center, the state’s 24-hour hour, seven-day-per-week monitoring point for all state national and international events.

DHSES Commissioner John P. Melville said, “Reporting suspicious activity can be crucial to maintaining the safety of all communities. If you see something, say something by calling the New York State Terrorism Tips Line at 1-866-SAFE-NYS.”

Governor Cuomo urged new Yorkers to remember the following safety tips: 

Learn how to spot suspicious activity. It is important to identify individuals with malicious intentions before they are able to cause damage. While preparing for an attack, they may conduct themselves in ways that do not match the usual pattern of activity found within our daily lives, which makes them stand out from others. 

Learn the 8 signs of terrorism. Know the routines of your community. Always remain alert and aware of what is going on around you, and take what you see and hear seriously. Share this important information with your friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers.

Learn how to accurately describe suspicious behavior. The more accurately you can describe the behavior you observed, the more useful you will be to authorities reviewing the suspicious activity or incident. 

Learn how to report suspicious activity. Program the phone numbers of your local law enforcement agencies, and the New York State Terrorism Tips Line phone number – 1-866-SAFE-NYS – into your phone, should you need to use it quickly. You can also report a tip online.

 
If you observe suspicious activity, always remember these important tips:

DO NOT take direct action. 
DO NOT confront the individual. 
DO NOT reveal your suspicions. 
DO record as many details as possible. 
DO notify the appropriate authorities as soon as possible.

 

For more information about the Safeguard New York Program, and to learn how to remain aware and prepared for signs of terrorism, visit the DHSES website.

About the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency
DHSES and its four offices – Counter Terrorism, Emergency Management, Fire Prevention and Control, and Interoperable and Emergency Communications – provide leadership, coordination and support for efforts to prevent, protect against, prepare for, respond to, and recover from terrorism and other man-made and natural disasters, threats, fires and other emergencies. For more information, visit the DHSES Facebook page, follow @NYSDHSES on Twitter, or visit dhses.ny.gov.