He stressed that the NYPD was “providing extraordinary protection” with 35,000 members.
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NYPD Commissioner Bill Bratton also attended the press conference, and said, “Quite frankly, there is nothing new about that video…”
The video was released just ahead of the holiday season, and major events like the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
An armed NY City policeman stands guard in Times Square in the Manhattan borough in NY, November 18, 2015.
“In NY, we understand we are a terrorist target”.
“But do not be afraid. We work tirelessly to ensure that, continuously upgrading our capabilities and our systems”, Bratton said. FILE – NY City Mayor Bill de Blasio, surrounded by community leaders, speaks to reporters.
“While a few of the video footage is not new, the video reaffirms the message that NY City remains a top terrorist target”, the department said in a statement.
De Blasio added that the NYPD is the most capable police force in the country. “Understanding that, this city places great importance on the safety of New Yorkers and nearly 60 million visitors who have come to this city”.
Islamic State has already claimed responsibility for the Friday the 13th Paris terror attacks which killed at least 129 people.
The mayor of NY said what we heard said many times back in 2001 after 9-11.
Videos such as the one released on Wednesday are common.
CNN terrorism analyst Paul Cruickshank said authorities can’t ignore the video, whether or not it turns out to be a credible threat. The Federal Bureau of Investigation said that from the ISIS video, they surmised that the terrorists intend to strike at St. Peter’s Basilica and other historical monuments in Rome and Milan. A fighter also holds an explosives trigger as the screen goes black.
Police officers stand guard in Times Square on Wednesday in NY.
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A newly released ISIS video featured images of Times Square in NY City and it put the area on high alert. “I’m not going to go into details, because I get briefings on a regular basis, and it’s appropriate to keep those private”, he said. He said that when a vehicle backfired shortly after the attacks in France, he immediately thought of a bomb.
