Police presence beefed up at NY airports, WTC site

[May 02, 2011]  NEW YORK (AP) -- Some local law enforcement agencies in the U.S. were adding security measures Monday following Osama bin Laden's death, out of what one called "an abundance of caution."

In Los Angeles, police were stepping up intelligence monitoring, and New Yorkers will see extra police at their airports, bridges and the World Trade Center site itself.

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey said it will add more police at the facilities it runs, which include the airports, the George Washington Bridge and ground zero. The measures aren't response to any current threat and all the facilities will operate normally otherwise, the Port Authority said.

"This response is not based on a current threat, but out of an abundance of caution until we have the chance to learn more," the agency said.

Eighty-four Port Authority employees died in the attack on the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001.

New York Police Commissioner Ray Kelly issued a message to all police commands reminding them that while there's no information indicating a specific threat to the nation's biggest city, officers should remain alert.

In Los Angeles, a top counterterrorism commander said police will be stepping up intelligence monitoring.

Assistant Commanding Officer Blake Chow, who heads the department's counterterrorism and special operations bureau, said Sunday night that officers will be keeping a close ear on intelligence buzz to develop immediate response plans accordingly.

Police in Philadelphia were on heightened alert, checking on mosques and synagogues every hour, Lt. Raymond J. Evers said.

[Associated Press]

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