NYPD Beefs Up Security at NYC Holiday Markets After Berlin Attack

NEW YORK, NY — The NYPD has increased security at holiday markets in the city one day after a terror attack killed at least 12 people at a similar market in Berlin, an NYPD spokesman told Patch on Tuesday.

Police are patrolling the markets in greater numbers and more heavily-armed Critical Response Command officers have been tasked with protecting the markets, police told Patch. Several holiday markets have sprung up throughout New York city this season, including in highly trafficked areas such as Bryant Park, Union Square, Grand Central and Columbus Circle.

"The NYPD is monitoring the events in Germany and around the world today. The Department has moved highly trained teams, including the Critical Response Command, to high profile locations around New York City," said an NYPD statement from Monday. "In the coming days, we will look to learn more about what occurred to inform the NYPD's operations, deployments, and training of officers."

Shoppers at New York's holiday markets seemed to notice the beefed up security measures:

The NYPD does not believe these markets are under threat, but have stepped up security as a precaution, police said.

"At this point we don’t see any specific credible threat to either going towards the holiday season or New York in particular, but we have made a lot of adjustments," NYPD Deputy Chief of Counter Terrorism John Miller said Tuesday on "CBS This Morning."

A truck drove through a crowded Christmas market in Berlin, Germany, on Monday, killing at least 12 people and injuring at least 50 more, according to Berlin police. The crash is believed to be an "attack," the New York Times reported, citing police.

The identities of the victims were not immediately known, including whether any were visiting from the United States.

The White House said the incident "appears to have been a terrorist attack."

"We have been in touch with German officials, and we stand ready to provide assistance as they recover from and investigate this horrific incident," a statement from White House National Security Council Spokesman Ned Price said. "Germany is one of our closest partners and strongest allies, and we stand together with Berlin in the fight against all those who target our way of life and threaten our societies."

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio offered condolences and support to the victims of the Berlin attack Tuesday.

Photo courtesy of NYPD