Mayor Bloomberg and Gov. Pataki announced yesterday the city is tightening security at subways, hotels and certain public places and that the state is hiking its terror threat level to match the feds.
Though some law enforcement sources say New York is a potential target, FBI officials in Washington said the latest warning isn’t specifically aimed at the city – and added that New York FBI agents are responding the same way as agents elsewhere.
Apartment buildings, hotels, banks, bridges and tunnels were mentioned as possible targets in the federal warning.
At a City Hall news conference with Pataki, Bloomberg said he’s increasing security “at the appropriate locations, and we will be paying special attention to places where lots of people gather, especially public places like lobbies of hotels, apartment buildings and our subway system.”
Pataki said the state had upgraded its level to orange or “high risk” – the same level the country rose to yesterday.
“Today we have activated certain specialized units in the state police and National Guard that have capabilities to monitor and take steps to prevent attacks from occurring,” Pataki said.
The governor said state health providers had been ordered “to make sure we have enhanced monitoring of possible infectious diseases” – a job in which an elite National Guard team will pay a key role.
“You’re going to not see an awful lot of the enhanced security steps that are taken and that’s as it should be,” Pataki said.
Bloomberg told city dwellers to go about their lives.
“It’s not that much more dangerous today than it was yesterday,” he said. “My message today to the people of the city of New York is simple – go about your lives as you normally would, and we will do everything in our power to protect you.”
Bloomberg added: “Leave the worrying to the professionals and live your lives.”
Police Commissioner Ray Kelly noted that 1,000 cops are deployed to anti-terrorist activities and said: “We’ll be adjusting some of that redeployment. You’ll also see a greater uniformed presence at certain locations, the transportation hubs, certainly down in the financial area.”
Kelly said the NYPD met with the Port Authority and MTA to discuss security at entrance points to the city, and he said police contacted security directors at all major hotels in the city.
Cops were out in force last night at subway stations, guarding the platforms as hordes of riders boarded trains.
Even undercover cops were told to show up to work in uniform in order to give the impression of a larger police presence.
Corrections Officer Al Paulauskas patrolled the 59th Street/Columbus Circle station with his dog Butkus.
“He’s never been in a train station before,” said Paulauskas, pointing to his frightened pooch, as they walked around the station.
Bloomberg said anything suspicious should be reported to a special NYPD counterterrorism hot line: (888) NYC-SAFE.
* One name was added yesterday to the medical examiner’s list of confirmed dead in the World Trade Center attacks:
Diane Marie Parsons, 58.
Additional reporting by Hasani Gittens
ALERT LEVELS
RED – Severe risk of terror attack
What it means – Specific attack imminent or happening.
What happens – Emergency and counter-terrorism forces dispatched, evacuations ordered, buildings closed.
ORANGE – High risk
What it means – The current alert, given because counter-terror intelligence suggests heightened terrorist activity.
What happens – Extra guards at ports, alerts to local and state police, increase in security at events and public facilities.
YELLOW – Significant risk
What it means – Since 9/11, most days have been yellow days.
What happens – Surveillance at ports is increased, emergency plans are coordinated, terror cells are watched.
BLUE – General risk
What it means – Terror risk has fallen to pre-9/11 level.
What happens – Communications checked, emergency plans reviewed, counter-terrorism officials search for hidden cells.
GREEN – Low risk
What it means – A depletion of terrorists inside the country.
What happens – Assessment of facilities for vulnerabilities, training of emergency responders.
SOURCE: The Office of Homeland Security
WHAT YOU SHOUD DO…
* Arrange a way for family members to contact each other – such as through an out-of-town relative – and arrange a meeting place in case telephone service is knocked out.
* Make copies of all important documents, and store in a watertight container, along with a small amount of cash.
* Assemble a supply kit and keep it in a designated place where it is readty to “grab and go.”
* Store necessary prescription drugs and an extra set of prescription glasses.