Increased Police Presence At NJ/NY Bridges, Tunnels, Airports Due To Bomb Incidents: Port Authority

Expect to see increased police presence at Hudson River crossings and New York City area airports in the wake of multiple bomb-related incidents, according to the Port Authority of NY/NJ.

Port Authority spokesman Joseph Pentangelo told Patch on Monday morning that in response to bomb-related incidents in New York City, Elizabeth and the Jersey Shore, the agency’s police department is increasing and expanding patrols with “heavy weapons.”

Port Authority police officers will “remain vigilant” at the tunnel, bridge and airports under its jurisdiction, including the George Washington Bridge, Lincoln Tunnel, Holland Tunnel, Newark Airport, JFK Airport and LaGuardia Airport, Pentangelo stated.

On Saturday, a possible pipe bomb explosion in the boardwalk area of Seaside Park forced the evacuation of a charity 5K race that was expected to draw 3,000 people, many of them veterans of the armed services, authorities said.

• See related article: Pipe Bomb Explodes Along 5K Seaside Park Racecourse on Jersey Shore

On Saturday night, a street-corner explosion that law enforcement sources said was caused by an intentionally detonated improvised device in the busy Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan sent shrapnel flying into pedestrians Saturday night, injuring at least 29 people.

• See related article: Chelsea Explosion Latest: 29 Injured in New York City Blast

On Sunday evening, five explosive devices were found in a backpack at the train station in Elizabeth. The devices were in the process of being made safe when they exploded, according to sources who say they appeared to have been similar to the devices discovered in Seaside on Saturday.

• See related article: Explosive Devices Found at Elizabeth Station Delaying Amtrak, NJ Transit
• See related article: Manhunt For NJ Man Connected With Chelsea Bombing After 5 Bombs Found Near Elizabeth Train Station

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