Governor Andrew Cuomo today announced the deployment of additional security personnel to further enhance the protection of the more than 51,000 runners and over 2 million spectators expected to attend the New York City Marathon on Sunday. At the Governor's direction, the New York State Police, National Guard, the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey will all increase deployments and patrols at high-profile locations in New York City, including airports, bridges, tunnels, and mass transit systems. In total, thousands of officers will be deployed this weekend to ensure the safety and security of the event.
Specifically:
The New York State Police will double the number of Troopers working at posts throughout New York City, including JFK and LaGuardia Airports.
The New York National Guard will triple personnel deployment, with placement in strategically identified locations along the marathon route.
The New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services has activated the State Emergency Operations Center and will have key personnel on site at the NYPD's Joint Operations Center. Officials are closely coordinating with local and federal officials.
The Port Authority Police Department will more than double personnel deployment and add patrols at airports, bridges, tunnels, and other high-profile locations.
The MTA Police and MTA Bridges and Tunnels will add personnel and patrols at key locations throughout New York City.
"Despite the cowardly attack in lower Manhattan this week, athletes from around the globe are flocking to this great city to run the New York City Marathon this weekend," Governor Cuomo said. "While there is no apparent threat, we are ramping up security across New York City with patrols and resources from various state law enforcement agencies out of an abundance of caution. These brave men and women will be out in full force to ensure the safety of New Yorkers during tomorrow's marathon, and I look forward to another year of this storied New York tradition."
State Police & National Guard
At the Governor's direction, the National Guard is tripling personnel deployment and the State Police is doubling the number of Troopers working at posts throughout the city for the marathon this weekend, including at JFK and LaGuardia airports. This deployment includes canines and members of the Bomb Disposal and Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Units.
Division of Homeland Security & Emergency Services
The Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services is closely coordinating with New York City Emergency Management in advance of this weekend's event, and yesterday, Commissioner Roger Parrino participated in a pre-planning tabletop exercise with the NYPD, FBI, and other partners. Additionally, the Office of Emergency Management's regional coordinator will staff the New York City Police Department's Joint Operations Center to ensure that federal, state and local resources are coordinated throughout the weekend. The State Emergency Operations Center was also activated earlier this morning. OEM staff will increase and enhance monitoring operations of the marathon and other various large public gatherings.
Port Authority of New York & New Jersey
The Port Authority Police Department will more than double personnel deployment and add additional patrols at airports, bridges, tunnels, and other high-profile locations. Certain personnel will be equipped with heavy weapons and counter terrorism measures will be placed at crossings and other Port Authority facilities. Additionally, the Port Authority Emergency Operations Center will be activated on Sunday, November 5 beginning at 7 a.m. Port Authority officials will monitor activities during day and provide assistance as needed.
Metropolitan Transportation Authority
The MTA Police Department will step up its uniformed and plainclothes presence in Penn Station and Grand Central Terminal as well as other major stations throughout the Metro-North Railroad and Long Island Rail Road network. Additionally, MTA Police and MTA Bridge & Tunnels will deploy additional personnel in key locations along the marathon route, as well as canine teams and large vehicles. Special Operations Division, and Detective Division officers will be utilized as part of this deployment and railroad customers will see surge patrols, increased step-on/step-off patrols of trains, and random bag checks at various locations.
Behind the scenes, the MTA Police Department, MTA New York City Transit security and MTA Bridges and Tunnels Officers share intelligence information and coordinate their threat response with other police and security agencies to ensure a seamless web of protection throughout the region.
New York State Police and the New York National Guard members have been assigned to high-profile MTA locations for more than a year, and they are helping secure these locations as well as reassuring the public that the authorities are dedicated to ensuring their safety. The MTA closely monitors large public events that occur in or near its facilities and will provide heightened awareness of activities there.
The MTA works closely with the NYPD to secure New York's subways and buses, and MTA Bridges and Tunnels Officers are using a mix of visual and technological surveillance to ensure safety at its seven bridges and two tunnels in New York City.
In addition to mobilizing additional security, the state is working with the FBI and other agencies to assist victims of Tuesday's terrorist attack.
Source: Press Office, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo
No comments:
Post a Comment