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.