Astorino Addresses Safety Concerns In Wake Of NYC Terror Attack

WHITE PLAINS, NY — In the wake of the Manhattan terror attack Tuesday, Westchester County Executive Robert Astorino addressed concerns for safety in the county. In a press conference Wednesday, he said the attack in which a driver plowed a truck into people on a west side bike and jogging path is a stark reminder of how close the county is to New York City.

“Our neighbors in New York City are dealing with this again in downtown Manhattan,” Astorino said. “It affects us all.”

He said the county stands ready to help New York in any way that it needs.

Astorino said that the county’s officers were sent to Manhattan immediately after the incident.

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They were able to assess in real time the threat in Manhattan and, at the same time, possible threats to Westchester, he said.

Astorino said strategies and training that the county provides to its first responders is “dynamic and it’s always changing in regard to what we learn in previous incidents around the world.”

Counterterrorism preparedness in the county was described by Astorino as strong with law enforcement engaged in a wide variety of pursuits, including carrying radiation detection meters, which can detect a dirty bomb that passes through the county.

Astorino said aviation and marine units are deployed regularly, especially considering such potential targets as Indian Point and the former Tappan Zee Bridge.

“We can tell the public of Westchester we have the resources, training and dedicated police officers” who can deal with incidents concerning safety, he said.

“One thing we ask the public is the old ‘see something, say something’,” Astorino said. “We count on regular people with their eyes and ears and gut instinct” to let authorities know something is suspicious.

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo Wednesday directed that flags on all state government buildings be flown at half-staff on Thursday, Nov. 2 to honor the eight lives lost in the terrorist attack in lower Manhattan.

“Today, tomorrow and forever, we will remember the lives of those taken from us too soon, and we keep in our thoughts their loved ones who are feeling unimaginable pain,” Cuomo said. “We know that our freedom and our democracy are targets of this hate and it is critical that we work as one in the face of this attack. There is no alternative, this is not a time to point fingers or blame — it’s a time to come together and work for a common goal, to protect New York.”

Rockland County Executive Ed Day expressed shock, sadnes and anger at the terror attack.

“The people of Rockland County stand with our neighbors in New York City as we did on Feb. 26, 1993, and Sept. 11, 2001 when our freedoms were attacked and innocent lives were lost. As former commander in the NYPD, I can assure the people of Rockland County that there is a top-notch public safety component in place to keep us safe,” he said. “We hope and pray that they and all first-responders are safe. And we grieve for the lives lost [Tuesday].”

Patch file photo.