Heavy Security In Place Around Long Island Shopping Centers, Roadways As Holiday Shopping Begins
GARDEN CITY, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- Patrol and special operations officers have already been dispatched to Long Island's major shopping centers.
They're on roadways for traffic enforcement too, and while there are no credible terror threats to the suburbs, shoppers are on edge.
As CBS2's Jennifer McLogan reported, the obvious and not so obvious security protocols were already in place Wednesday, to reassure the public and crack down on crime during Thanksgiving and Black Friday holiday shopping.
"Everyone is concerned, everyone is scared, but you have to keep going on with life as normal," Karen Mason said.
"The whole situation going on right now with ISIS is something that should be taken very seriously," Lawrence Code Enforcement Officer, Donato Ciarlo said.
Although there are no credible threats to the suburbs police districts are working with the NYPD and FBI.
"We have our criminal intelligence, rapid response teams, and a very robust bureau of special operations that will be out there including mounted units and K9s," Det Lt Richard LeBrun, Nassau County Police, said, "All the shopping areas. We are going to try to flood those areas."
In the Roosevelt Field Mall undercover units work alongside state troopers in parking lots and security foot patrols are stationed along corridors and in stores.
More shoppers say they are on edge due to recent violence against police officers and terrorist attacks abroad.
"We have to go ahead with our lives and realize we are safer than anywhere else in the world. At the same time, there is a terror threat," U.S. Rep Peter King (R-LI) said.
Police have also been monitoring houses of worship, schools, and other gathering places like train stations and cafes.
"I am not afraid. I wouldn't let them intimidate me," Denise Morgan said.
Police have urged shoppers to remain calm and cordial, vigilant about their surroundings, and to speak up if they see or hear something suspicious.
They are also asking residents to lock up when leaving their homes, and lock their cars once they arrive at the mall.