LF: NYPD unveils 560 strong elite task force designed to combat a Paris-style terror attack as Mayor Bill de Blasio admits the 'world changed over the weekend'

Title: NYPD unveils 560 strong elite task force designed to combat a Paris-style terror attack as Mayor Bill de Blasio admits the 'world changed over the weekend'
Source: Daily Mail Online
URL Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art ... pare-attack-similar-Paris.html
Published: Nov 16, 2015
Author: Chris Spargo
Post Date: 2015-11-16 16:37:47 by cranky
Keywords: None
Views: 969
Comments: 2

The NYPD have unveiled an elite terrorist unit as security was ramped up in major cities across the United States in the wake of the Paris terrorist attacks.

In New York City, police increased bag checks in the subway system and at popular tourist destinations while Commissioner Bill Bratton revealed that the force was training to deal with an event similar to Friday's massacres.

He also deployed the new terrorism task force of 560 officers, the Critical Response Command, on Monday, set up specifically to deal with threats and attacks in the city.

During a press conference alongside Mayor Bill de Blasio he said: 'The world changed dramatically over the weekend.'

He added that the new recruits taking on the specialist role were performing the most 'essential assignment in the world of policing,' as the threat of an attack reaches new heights.

He said that the cops had accepted a 'signifcant' responsibility and are now building up to New Year's Eve - the first time the whole task force will be on duty.

De Blasio announced security would be heightened at sensitive locations, telling the crowd that New York is the best equipped city in America to fight terrorism.

He told the recruits: 'We are very proud of you today. You have decided to do all this crucial work to protect us.

'You are not only part of the finest police force in the nation, or the world. You are the best of the best.

'You are now part of the frontline of this city's fight against terrorism. I hope you feel the pride we feel in you, that i know your families feel in you to serve in this crucial command.

'And you are here not a moment too soon as we reflect on what are brothers and sisters in Paris went through just a few days ago.

'We feel such a close connection to that city. France was our first ally as a nation, and they have gone through such pain this year.

'Well that also underscores the urgency of your mission. We will support you every step of the way. We will support your unit and the rest of the NYPD.

'With this elite group we are taking are effort to the next level. There's no city that is better prepared to defend terrorism or respond to any attacks.

Earlier on Wednesday, Bratton said that the NYPD was busy gathering intelligence in order to be prepared for a possible threat.

Commissioner Bill Bratton revealed that the NYPD was training to deal with an event similar to the one in Paris

Increased patrols: A police officer inspects the Times Square subway stop with his dog on Saturday

He said of ISIS during an appearance on ABC 7: 'The idea that every one of these people [Friday's terrorists] were apparently equipped with a suicide vest reinforces the idea that if they take hostages you have to go in because they’re going to kill them.

'At this point and time, their vulnerabilities are minimal. They have access to money in amounts that Al Qaeda never had. They have taken social media and perfected how they utilize that.

'They’re doing something like 90,000 social media hits every day and it’s growing.

'And the ability now with the assistance, which is unfortunate, the manufacturing of phones and other devices and the creation of apps that allows you to encrypt messages so that we, law enforcement, can't see them. The have so many new elements coming at us so quickly we are moving really very fast to stay ahead of these developments.'

Bratton also detailed the work that is being done and the information that is being gathered in hopes of preventing an attack in NYC similar to the one that occurred in Paris.

'There are a number of things we are hoping to get information about. One, were all of these attacks coordinated? By that I mean you had a half dozen things going on, were the participants in communication with each other during the event, or were they operating independently by some central control?' said Bratton.

'Secondly, what was the communication equipment they were using if they were using any during the event? Their phones, their apps?

'You've heard FBI Director Comey talk about the concern of going dark, the ability to encrypt messaging, and we are seeing that frequently now, as part of our intelligence gathering capabilities. And that is a question here, because why was there not some indication that an attack was imminent, particularly an attack of this scale and scope?'

Greater presence: Soldiers stand watch in the Port Authority Bus Terminal on Saturday

New York City increased security at all French government locations immediately after Friday's attacks, which officials said was a precautionary move and not because they had knowledge of any possible threat.

Counterterrorism officers have also been placed at the more crowded areas in the city out of an 'abundance of caution' according to a statement from the NYPD.

'We stand in solidarity with the residents of Paris and with [its] Mayor Hidalgo during this tragic time,' Mayor Bill de Blasio said in a statement on Friday.

'NYPD is in close contact with our international liaison in Paris and the local authorities and are closely monitoring the situation.'

Heavily armed officers were seen in Times Square and Central Park over the weekend, while police had bomb-sniffing dogs in various subway stations.

Bratton wrote in a statement on Friday: 'Tonight, tomorrow, and in the days to come, be vigilant, be prepared, be aware. And, as ever, be safe.'

Doesn't the NYPD average something like 60 shots per bad guy,with one or two hits?

What could possibly go wrong with issuing those people shotguns and full-auto carbines?

Why is democracy held in such high esteem when it’s the enemy of the minority and makes all rights relative to the dictates of the majority? (Ron Paul,2012)

American Indians had open borders. Look at how well that worked out for them.