NEW YORK – The MTA is also taking extra measures to keep the public safe, even though officials said there’s no credible threat at this time.
According to MTA Chairman and CEO Janno Lieber, our presence has been expanded both at the major transportation terminals and across the entire transit system.
Lieber and officials from the transit police unveiled the specifics of their plan on Friday morning.
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According to Lieber, we have not just the NYPD and MTA PD, but also the state police and national guard are present due to Governor Hochul’s action.
NYPD Chief of Transit, Michael Kemper, stated that the objective is to expand our influence and reach throughout the city, not solely limited to the subway system. This is intended as a preventive measure and to provide reassurance to the public that we are here to support them.
Lieber expressed his gratitude to the officers, troopers, and National Guardsmen and women stationed at Grand Central Terminal on Friday, as he walked around before the briefing.
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MTA Police Chief John Mueller joined Friday’s briefing. He was in Israel on October 7th when Hamas first attacked.
“I believe the best word to describe it would be surreal. We woke up to the sound of air raid sirens during the early hours of the morning. Soon after, heavy bombing ensued,” Mueller expressed. “The current situation the Israeli people are experiencing is something we absolutely do not wish to occur, under any circumstances, in the United States.”
Mueller simply responded when asked if his experience in Israel had influenced his level of preparedness on Friday.
“Absolutely,” he said.
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