New York Police Step Up Security Measures Amid Fear of Paris-style Attacks
The New York Police Department has stepped up security as the recent shooting rampage in Paris still left tourists and residents reeling.
News of government agencies toughening their emergency powers erupted when a series of synchronized gun attacks and bombs killed at least 129 people in the heart of France on November 13. The attacks occurred in places emblematic of Paris’s culture, including concert halls, cafes and stadiums.
While world leaders are scrambling to identify the key suspects behind the attack and untangle their connections, they are also ramping up terror alerts and security amid fear of similar threats in their home countries.
In New York, the increased police presence is evident in tourists and commuter hotspots, such as the Grand Central Terminal, World Trade Center and the French Consulate in Manhattan. Sambo Maen, a graduate student specializing in human nutrition at New York University, said he might ditch Macy’s parade for Thanksgiving this year: “Wouldn’t that be a perfect target (for terrorist attacks)?”
The additional officers were not deployed in response to recent threats, but “out of an abundance of caution to provide police presence and public reassurance as we follow the developing situation overseas,” according to a statement released by the NYPD.
Since the 9/11 attacks, the NYPD has established the Intelligence and Counterterrorism bureau to gather, analyze and act upon information faster.
To that end, the bureau collaborates with community leaders and other agencies on the state, federal and global level. In light of the Charlie Hebdo attack in Paris this January, the NYPD created a Critical Response Command within the Counterterrorism Bureau, which handpicked a slate of well-trained and well-equipped officers to counter organized crime.
“CRC was all over the news,” said Officer Lucurto, who was monitoring the Grand Central Terminal Monday night. “The new unit has about 500 officers.”
Governor Andrew Cuomo announced shortly after the Paris attacks that there will be more patrols and random bag checks at various stations, increased surveillance of transportation hubs and large public gatherings, and police armed with heavy weapons. These are joined efforts of the state Division of Homeland Security & Emergency Services, New York State Police and the state National Guard, and The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey’s police force.
In spite of heavy disputes with Police Commissioner Bill Bratton and the city council, Mayor de Blasio had reversed his stance and agreed to hire nearly 1,300 new officers this June, about 300 of whom will be assigned to counterterrorism, as Associated Press first reported. The extra headcount will cost the city $170 million in the fiscal year of 2016.
Rheza Tanudihardjo, a frequent commuter on 1 trains, said he noticed more steps taken to safeguard commuters.
“The police did more frisk search,” he said. “But I’m worried that they would employ racial profiling and stereotyping.”
The authorities’ search for key suspects involved in the Paris attacks is stirring up anti-Muslim sentiment within France and also in the U.S. Politicians’ use of racist rhetoric sparked much debate, most noticeably with Republican candidate Ben Carson’s analogy of Syrian refugees as a “rabid dog running around your neighborhood.”
