Additional patrols and tactical teams were dispatched throughout the county beginning on Wednesday, Nov. 27, police said, under a “pre-planned security initiative for the Thanksgiving holiday period.”
The department issued an alert after receiving multiple inquiries about whether patrols would be increased following the terror-related incident in London.
According to police, the department had already established an increased presence around the Westchester County Airport, public transit hubs, houses of worship and retail shopping areas.
Additionally, uniformed officers and tactical teams stepped-up inspections and critical infrastructure patrols around railroad and bus stations, major retails hubs in Mount Kisco and Cortlandt, houses of worship and other sensitive locations.
The increased patrols come as the department participates in “Operation Safeguard” a “public safety and counter-terrorism initiative.”
“All law enforcement agencies in Westchester and Putnam counties are working together to conduct security checks of religious facilities, train stations, commuter parking, bus routes, shopping malls, and public gathering places,” officials noted.
“Under this initiative, more police officers may be observed, including heavily armed tactical teams. The public is reminded that this increased presence is not in response to the London incident or any specific threat in our area; it is simply part of our ongoing security and counter-terrorism efforts.”
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