Christie, Cuomo increase police presence amid terrorist threats

Prompted by recent terrorist threats, Govs. Chris Christie of New Jersey and Andrew Cuomo of New York vowed Wednesday to protect the region with a surge in police presence.

Effective immediately, the governors announced they will substantially increase security at transportation hubs and critical infrastructure in the metropolitan area.

“Global events this week bring the threat into acutely sharp focus,” Mr. Christie said in a joint statement with Mr. Cuomo. “We know that our people and assets remain a target in the minds of depraved individuals around the globe, even in the homeland, and we are gravely committed to protecting and defending ourselves against the threat.”

“The New York City area has always been a top target for terrorists wishing to spread hatred and fear, and we would be in a state of denial to say that what is going on internationally has not raised that danger,” Mr. Cuomo said. “Our residents should rest assured that we are doing everything necessary to keep the region safe.”

The governors have ordered increased bag checks on public trains, subways, and Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North cars as well as increased K-9 patrols and heightened police presence at major transportation hubs.

It was not made clear whether a specific threat prompted the governors’ announcement, but said they were working with in conjunction with the FBI.
Mr. Cuomo told the New York Observer the heightened security could be permanent.

“It depends on what happens,” Mr. Cuomo said. “Our response will be in proportion to the threat. If you ask me to look in a crystal ball, I don’t believe this situation really goes away in the short term.”

This week President Obama launched airstrikes against Islamic State militants in Syria, a group which has threatened to attack the U.S.

The radical jihadist group leader, Abu Bakr al Baghdadi, told U.S. forces upon his release from an Iraqi prison in 2009, “I’ll see you guys in New York.”