Security In NYC Remains Tight In Wake Of London Attack
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Security remained tight around New York City Thursday in the wake of Wednesday's deadly attack in London.
Heavily armed police have been stationed at locations around the city, including Times Square, Grand Central Terminal and outside the British Consulate on the East Side.
"We immediately moved and redeployed some of our Critical Response Command personnel to UK locations, as well as other city agencies around the city," NYPD Counterterrorism Chief Jim Waters said. "You'll see a larger presence of the dogs at these locations as well as the CRC officers armed with the long guns."
Heavy concrete barricades have already been in place for some time to prevent a vehicle attack.
After the London attack, NYPD officers have also been charged with new, clear orders to fire on any moving vehicles being used to ram into crowds during a perceived attack, as CBS2's Alice Gainer reported.
"We need to reinforce and tell them that this is an OK thing to do and you don't even have to give it a second thought," Police Commissioner James O'Neill said.
In the past, like during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade last year, the NYPD has also used sanitation trucks to block intersections.
Metal posts called bollards can also stop a truck going 50 mph. They are around every new U.S. embassy and federal government building.
Bollards are also common in London, but they are not found on the Westminster Bridge where the attack on Wednesday took place.
The attack Wednesday in London happened when police said a man driving a sport-utility vehicle hit pedestrians on the bridge before crashing into the gates of Parliament.
Two people were killed, and a third succumbed to injuries from the attack on Thursday.
Police said the assailant then fatally stabbed an officer before being shot by police. the assailant has been identified as Khalid Masood, 52.
There have been similar vehicle-ramming attacks in Nice, France, in Berlin and in Jerusalem.
For some New Yorkers, the security precautions amount to added reassurance.
"It makes people feel a lot better to see police all around," Midtown employee Kate Yoder told CBS2's Janelle Burrell.
"You have to cover your bases, you have to be prepared do whatever you can," said Midtown worker Nathan Hyman.
The NYPD said it is continuing to monitor the situation in London, but said there is no information linking the attack to New York City at this point.