New York State announces new measures for fight against terrorism

New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo on Monday announced two new measures -- a free smartphone app and increased police presence in hubs of transportation -- to enhance the state's ability to fight terrorism.

The smartphone app campaign "See Something, Send Something" encourages residents and visitors in New York to report suspicious activities to alert authorities, said a statement released by the governor.

The app will allow anyone to capture a suspicious activity in a photo or written note and send the information to the New York State Intelligence Center, where the tip will be reviewed and if relevant, sent to the appropriate law enforcement agency.

Cuomo also proposed that the Metropolitan Transportation Authority will hire 46 more police officers for hubs of transportation in New York, including at Grand Central and Penn Station in Manhattan, New York City, as well as for the Metro-North Railroad, Long Island Rail Road and Staten Island Railway systems.

"These new efforts are essential pieces in our fight against terrorism," Cuomo said. "We have stepped up our preparedness in the aftermath of the Paris attacks, and we continue to remain vigilant against those who seek to spread fear and violence."

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority is North America's largest transportation network, serving a population of 15.2 million people in the areas fanning out from New York City through Long Island, southeastern New York State, and Connecticut.

"The MTA Police Department is a robust force of more than 700 officers dedicated to protecting our region's rail transportation, and these dozens of new officers will bolster our regular counterterrorism patrols of high-visibility terminals," said MTA Chairman Tom Prendergast. "Our officers are well aware that they are protecting a vital public service, and their presence in major train stations serves as a visible deterrent as well as a decisive factor in quickly countering any threat." Endit