Major
US cities on high alert in wake of Boston Marathon bombings
RT,
16
April, 2013
In
response to the multiple blasts and additional explosives found in
Boston during its annual marathon, America's larger cities are
heightening security measures as a precaution.
In
New York, Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced that security was being
raised, including counter-terrorism measures. He stated that 1,000
NYPD employees are presently assigned specifically for those
terrorism-related procedures. Police cruisers congregated around high
traffic areas such as Times Square and major landmarks around the
city, while the Metropolitan Transit Authority also increased sweeps
at transit stations.
In
Washington, security was increased outside the White House, as Secret
Service agents established a larger perimeter around the building and
blocked access to anyone without an entry pass. Additional patrol
officers were also stationed at the city’s Metro system prior to
Monday evening’s rush hour.
“Metro
is taking this step in an abundance of caution,” said the agency in
a public release.
In
Boston, news spread that officials had taken down cell phone service
to the area to prevent any remote detonations, though the claims were
refuted by major cell carriers, such as AT&T and Verizon
Wireless, which reported much higher than normal call frequencies as
the source of network issues.
Amtrak
services running through Philadelphia and the Northeast region have
been placed on heightened alert, and the city’s public
transportation agency, SEPTA, announced that operators there were
instructed to take tighter patrols of the downtown area and transport
stations.
In
Los Angeles, Police Chief Charlie Beck said his department would
increase officer deployments at sporting events in response to the
attack in Boston, beginning with Monday night’s Dodgers baseball
game. Additional police would be present, including bomb-squad
personnel and dogs.
Meanwhile,
police in Atlanta, Miami, Dallas and Houston have so far not
announced any additional security adjustments.
Outside
of the US, organizers for Sunday’s London City Marathon have been
tracking the situation, and have been in contact with that city’s
Metropolitan Police to review security arrangements.
Addressing
the nation, President Obama declared that the "full weight of
justice" would be brought down on those behind the bombing
attacks in Boston, though he cautioned against jumping to conclusions
regarding the responsible parties or individual. He stopped short of
labeling the blasts "terrorism."
Earlier,
Obama spoke with Republican House Speaker John Boehner, Democratic
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Republican Senate Minority
Leader Mitch McConnell. The President also received briefings from
FBI Director Robert Mueller and Homeland Security Secretary Janet
Napolitano. Federal law enforcement have been on a level one
mobilization alert, meaning an "all hands on deck"
situation and additional attention is being placed on outgoing
flights from the US.
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