Asia-Pacific

New York beefs up security after Moscow bombings

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-03-30 08:05

NEW YORK - New York City stepped up security as a precaution Monday following the suicide bombings in Moscow's subway system, sending more police into rail and subway stations.

New York beefs up security after Moscow bombings

A Washington Metro Transit police officer and his dog watch commuters at the Gallery Place-Chinatown Metro Station in Washington, March 29, 2010. Washington Metro conducted random security sweeps as part of heightened security associated with Monday's metro bomb explosions in Moscow. [Agencies]

According to local media reports, police were allowed to conduct random inspections of rail yards when necessary.

Police vehicles were dispatched to the city's transit hubs, and officers assigned to subways overnight were held in place so they overlapped with the day tour.

Special units distinguished by their special black uniforms, helmets and body armor also were assigned to transit facilities, according to reports.

The New York Police Department (NYPD) issued a statement Monday morning saying it was increasing coverage of the city's subway system as a precaution "in response to the Moscow bombings."

"In response to the Moscow bombings, the NYPD is increasing police coverage of the New York city subway system," NYPD spokesman Lieutenant John Grimpel said, adding there was no specific threat against New York and that the measures were a " precaution."

The city's Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) acknowledged heightened security, but declined to provide details. The agency is in charge of the city's buses and subways, as well as suburban trains, and bridges and tunnels.

New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg said the city "did ramp up our coverage a little bit this morning" after officials warned of the Moscow bombings.