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Security Heightened at Transit Hubs After Belgium Terror Attacks: Officials

By  Trevor Kapp and Aidan Gardiner | March 22, 2016 8:48am | Updated on March 22, 2016 11:24am

Counterterrorism Officers in Times Square

NEW YORK CITY — Authorities have deployed additional security teams to major subway hubs, airports and other crowded areas around the city Tuesday morning following the terror attacks in a Belgian airport and subway station that killed dozens of people, officials said.

The NYPD, Coast Guard and other agencies' actions come hours after terrorists detonated two bombs in the Brussels' international airport and a city subway station, possibly in retaliation for the capture of a prominent terrorist days earlier, according to the New York Times.

Officials with the FBI and the NYPD said there was no known threat against New York after the attack and authorities urged New Yorkers to remain undaunted by the terrorism.

"Their aim is to spread death. Our answer is to spread life," said Mayor Bill de Blasio during a Tuesday morning press conference with top NYPD officials.

"We in New York City stand ready to fight against terror in every way," he added.

The Coast Guard members has deployed to both JFK and LaGuardia airports and added more service members to the 400 who are already on duty in the area, Governor Andrew Cuomo said.

"I have directed state law enforcement officials to step up security at high-profile locations around the state, including airports, bridges, tunnels and mass transit systems," Cuomo said.

"Public safety is paramount and I want people of this state to know that we are working with all local and federal partners, remaining vigilant and taking all necessary measures to keep New Yorkers safe," the governor added.

State Troopers are also heightening security at Penn and Grand Central stations along with the Queens Midtown Tunnel and George Washington Bridge, the governor added.

The Port Authority has also placed additional units at the World Trade Center site along with the various other facilities under its purview, officials said.

Police have mobilized the Counterterrorism Response Command, Strategic Response Group and Hercules Team, according to the NYPD's chief spokesman, Stephen Davis.

"These teams have been deployed to crowded areas and transit locations around the city out of an abundance of caution to provide police presence and public reassurance as we closely follow the developing situation overseas," Davis added.

 

A photo posted by NYPD (@nypd) on

Local officials are talking with each other and their federal counterparts while continuing to monitor the aftermath of the attacks in Belgium, they said.