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Small Brooklyn Venues Should Prepare For Terror Attacks, BP Eric Adams Says

By Nikhita Venugopal | November 20, 2015 5:37pm | Updated on November 22, 2015 8:02pm
 Borough President Eric Adams speaks in Borough Hall Friday afternoon.
Borough President Eric Adams speaks in Borough Hall Friday afternoon.
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DNAinfo/Nikhita Venugopal

DOWNTOWN BROOKLYN — In the wake of recent terrorist attacks in Paris, Borough President Eric Adams is urging Brooklyn restaurants, colleges and music halls, both large and small, to prepare for unexpected threats to safety. 

On Friday, Adams met with NYPD officials and representatives for 21 Brooklyn venues, including Brooklyn Bowl, Industry City, Brooklyn Brewery, St. Francis College and Grand Prospect Hall to discuss safety and vigilance, he said at a press conference.

"We would never to surrender to fear," he said, "but we would be prepared to deal with the unexpected."

Adams highlighted the NYPD's Shield program, a counterterrorism initiative that provides training services for local businesses. He encouraged all establishments in Brooklyn to take advantage of the free program.

It is imperative that employees are trained in handling situations that could involve active shooters and terrorists — what to look for and how to ensure the safety of other staff members and patrons, he said. 

While Adams admitted not all venues have the resources for a full security force, he encouraged management to take advantage of the NYPD's Shield program, which is free.

"Every business in the city, from the small cafe to the large, big establishments should have this training," he said.

"All business plans now must have a component for dealing with active shootings."

After last week's violence in Paris, Adams said there is a "new norm" for terror attacks, in which venues of all sizes are targeted. 

"People who want to harm innocent people are no longer looking at large-scale venues. They're looking at restaurants, they're looking at soccer stadiums, they're looking at concert halls," he said.

"We want to harden soft targets," he added. 

The borough president said he will continue to hold meetings with NYPD officials and Brooklyn venues to discuss safety and vigilance.

"We are well aware that New York continues to be an attractive target to those who want to harm America," he said.