VIDEO: Gov. Cuomo, NYPD Respond to New ISIS Times Square Threat

Written by LANNING TALIAFERRO (Patch Staff) and SIMONE WILSON (Patch Staff)

ISIS terrorists reportedly released a new propaganda video Wednesday warning all countries who’ve been bombing their strongholds in Syria that they will retaliate with attacks like the ones in Paris.

The new video reportedly re-upped an old montage — previously aired in an ISIS music video last spring — of a suicide bomber in front of Times Square.

“We say to the states that take part in the crusader campaign,” the narrator of Wednesday’s video reportedly said, “that, by God, you will have a day, God willing, like France’s and by God, as we struck France in the center of its abode in Paris, then we swear that we will strike America at its center in Washington.”

Gov. Andrew Cuomo issued this statement:

“I want every New Yorker to know that their security is our absolute highest priority. The video released by ISIS today contains old footage of New York, and there is no specific terrorist threat to New York at this time. After the Paris attacks, I directed state agencies to enhance their preparedness out of an abundance of caution and remain in close contact with local and federal authorities, including the FBI and NYPD through the Joint Terrorism Task Force, and that vigilance continues today. I encourage all New Yorkers to remain alert and report any suspicious activity, while at the same time not letting this disrupt their daily lives. Remember that the terrorists’ goal is to let fear win – New Yorkers never have, and we never will.”

The State’s enhanced security measures include:

Division of Homeland Security & Emergency Services

DHSES has been in contact with key local public safety officials following the attacks in Paris. The DHSES Watch Center, as a precaution, has increased monitoring of various large public gatherings, including various sporting venues throughout the State. DHSES remains in a state of readiness and prepared to disseminate information to our public safety partners statewide as necessary.

State Police & National Guard

The New York State Police and the National Guard have also been in contact with federal officials as well as local law enforcement partners, including the New York City Police Department, following the attacks in Paris. At the Governor’s direction, as a precaution, the State Police and National Guard have increased surveillance of critical infrastructure including transportation hubs and will be deploying additional resources to large public gatherings.

Port Authority of New York & New Jersey

Port Authority Police are on heightened alert at all of the agency’s bridge, tunnel, rail, World Trade Center and other facilities, following yesterday’s tragic attacks in Paris. Actions include increased patrols and checks of bags, buses, trucks and trains at agency locations. Travelers are reminded to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to police or other authorities.

Metropolitan Transportation Authority

The MTA has increased its patrols and surveillance in order to provide heightened protection across all its agencies. The MTA Police Department has stepped up its uniformed and plainclothes presence in Penn Station and Grand Central Terminal as well as other major stations throughout the Metro-North Railroad and Long Island Rail Road network. Police canine teams and units with heavy weapons will provide extra protection as well as a noticeable sign of increased security. Railroad customers will also see surge patrols, increased step-on/step-off patrols of trains, and random bag checks at various locations.

Behind the sýcenes, the MTA Police Department, MTA New York City Transit security and MTA Bridges and Tunnels Officers share intelligence information and coordinate their threat response with other police and security agencies to ensure a seamless web of protection throughout the region.

New York State Police and the New York National Guard members have been assigned to high-profile MTA locations for more than a year, and they are helping secure these locations as well as reassuring the public that the authorities are dedicated to ensuring their safety.ý The MTA closely monitors large public events that occur in or near its facilities and will provide heightened awareness of activities there.

The MTA works closely with the NYPD to secure New York’s subways and buses, and MTA Bridges and Tunnels Officers are using a mix of visual and technological surveillance to ensure safety at its seven bridges and two tunnels in New York City.

“If You See Something, Say Something”

New Yorkers are reminded to stay alert to their surroundings, and to report any suspicious activity. Reports can be made to the Counter Terrorism Center at the New York State Intelligence Center via its terrorism tip line: 1-866-SAFENYS (1-866-723-3697); or by email: ctcenter@nysic.ny.gov.

The New York Police Department said:

“We are aware of the newly-released ISIL video that mentions Times Square. While some of the video footage is not new, the video reaffirms the message that New York City remains a top terrorist target. While there is no current or specific threat to the City at this time, we will remain at a heightened state of vigilance and will continue to work with the FBI, the Joint Terrorism Task Force and the entire intelligence community to keep the City of New York safe. In addition, we are continuing to deploy additional Critical Response Command (CRC) teams throughout the City, out of an abundance of caution.”

On Monday, NYC Police Commissioner Bill Bratton said he saw New York City as ISIS terrorists’ most likely target after Paris, seeing as the city is a symbol of “all that they hate.”

Bratton said he beefed up NYC’s counterterrorism forces with 500 new cops after the Paris attacks.