New Jersey Anti-Terrorism Security Tightens After Brussels Attack

Authorities in New Jersey and New York City are stepping up anti-terrorism security measures in the wake of attacks that killed at least 26 people in Brussels.

Scott Ladd, a Port Authority of New York and New Jersey spokesman, said Port Authority Police are increasing their anti-terrorism presence at Newark Liberty, JFK and LaGuardia airports.

“High visibility anti-terrrorist patrols are being added to the PATH system and the World Trade Center," Ladd said.

A NJ Transit spokesman said his agency could discuss the matter sometime Tuesday.

A Newark flight bound for Brussels was also rerouted, according to United Airlines.

United said it had two arrivals destined for Brussels International Airport Tuesday morning. Flight 950 from Washington Dulles arrived at 7:01 a.m. and customers deplaned normally at the gate.

The second flight - flight 999 from Newark Liberty - was rerouted to a remote location and customers and crew deplaned. All remaining flights to and from Brussels International have been suspended until further notice from local authorities.

"The United family is deeply saddened by the tragedies in Brussels earlier today, and our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families," according to a United statement. "The safety of our customers and crew remains our top priority, and all of our employees are safe and accounted for at this time."

Two blasts hit Zaventem airport, killing 11 and injuring 81, the health minister said. Another explosion struck Maelbeek metro station an hour later in the Belgium city, killing 15 more, according to the New York Times.

The New York City Police Department is also closely monitoring the situation in Belgium and is "in close contact with our international partners and with the FBI."

The department has deployed additional counterterrorism resources across the city including: the Counterterrorism Response Command (CRC), the Strategic Response Group (SRG) and Hercules Teams, according to Stephen P. Davis, a spokesman for the department.

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, he said in a statement.

"At this time, there is no known indication that the attack has any nexus to New York City. We will continue to follow the situation in Belgium closely with the Joint Terrorism Task Force and the FBI and adjust the department’s deployments accordingly," he said.

He also said these attacks "come at a time when the federal government has proposed cutting terrorism funding to New York City by roughly 90 million dollars. Any cut in terrorism funding to New York—to what is widely recognized as the nation’s top terror target—would be irresponsible."

Facebook has also activated a safey-check feature that tells family and friends of someone who may be impacted by an attack that they are safe.

Here's how others were reacting to the increased security measures: