NYPD On High-Alert To Protect City From Iranian-Backed Terrorists – OpEd
By Jim Kouri
New York’s Police Commissioner Ray Kelly has increased security at the Israeli consulate, synagogues and other Jewish cultural institutions throughout all five boroughs of the city as a result of Iranian threats against Israel and the Jews.
Besides threats against Israel, Iran continues to accuse the U.S. government of plotting against their regime and warned officials in Washington, DC, that they will retaliate against any threat posed by the U.S. military.
According to NYPD Police Officer Edna Aguayo one of the most difficult targets to protect is the Mass Transit System. In the past when on high-alert heavily armed police and bomb sniffing dogs are posted outside potential targets. In addition, random package checks are conducted at subway stations throughout the city.
White House officials believe Israel may be planning an attack on Iran’s nuclear program as early as this Spring. Should they strike, Iran has vowed to retaliate against Israel and its U.S. interests.
Israeli governmental buildings and Jewish soft targets like synagogues and community centers have been placed on high alert.
White House officials believe Israel may be preparing an attack on Iran’s nuclear program sites and Iran has vowed to retaliate against Israel and its U.S. interests.
The NYPD said it is increasing security at synagogues and other Jewish institutions after talks between President Barack Obama and Israeli officials about a possible attack to prevent the Iranians from constructing a nuclear weapon.
The city has invested millions of dollars in state-of-the-art equipment and vehicles. For example, as reported in the Examiner, the New York City Police Department’s acquisition of new, high-tech equipment will help police officers keep the city safe from terrorists: the NYPD’s Harbor Unit now possesses unmanned underwater drones to help bomb technicians and emergency services unit officers to detect suspected underwater explosives.
The NYPD now possesses six underwater drones, with each costing between $75,000 and $120,000 depending on the drones’ capabilities.
These drones help to sweep the city’s waterways and bridges searching for possible bombs and IEDs (improvised explosive devices). In a recent drone demonstration, NYPD officers easily tossed the lightweight — sixteen pound — submersible equipped with lights and sonar into the harbor and sailed it beneath the hull of a large commercial tanker docked close to the Kings County (Brooklyn) Army Terminal.
