“I have directed state law enforcement officials to step up security at high-profile locations around the state, including our airports, bridges, tunnels and mass transit systems”, Cuomo said in a statement.
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Bag checking at PATH stations were conducted more frequently in light of the attacks.
At a news conference later in the day, Mayor Bill de Blasio commended the NYPD, in particular, for increasing the police presence around the city within a short time frame.
Anti-terrorist patrols were stationed throughout the trans-Hudson River system and the World Trade Center district.
In New York City, the Metropolitan Transit Authority said “Enhanced canine teams and heavy weapons teams are deployed” on several lines, and at the bustling Grand Central Terminal and Penn Station.
The National Guard deployed 400 members in the New York City area, including at JFK and LaGuardia airports. There is no known threat against New York City, but security was stepped up “out of an abundance of caution”. The MTA is coordinating with State Police and the Port Authority to elevate its police presence at subway and rail stations in New York City, Westchester and Long Island.
“The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) have procedures in place to identify and prevent travel here from Belgium by individuals of suspicion”, said DHS officials in a press release.
The explosions in Belgium on Tuesday morning prompted a lockdown of the capital and heightened security across Europe. “We will continue to follow the situation in Belgium closely with the Joint Terrorism Task Force and the Federal Bureau of Investigation and adjust the department’s deployments accordingly”.
Governor Andrew Cuomo called this morning’s terrorist attacks in Brussels this morning “terrible”.
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A CNN report said federal police at the airport at Zaventem acknowledged the blast, and eyewitnesses said dozens of people on stretchers have been removed from the airport.
