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U.S. security boosted after Belgium attacks

U.S. authorities increased security measures at transport hubs and landmarks across the U.S. on Tuesday in the wake of terror attacks in Belgium's capital.
In the wake of bombing attacks in Belgium Tuesday, authorities increased security at New York City-area airports, including John F. Kennedy International (pictured). 

U.S. authorities increased security measures at transport hubs and landmarks across the U.S. on Tuesday in the wake of terror attacks in Belgium's capital.

The bombings, two at the Brussels airport and one in the city's subway, killed at least 30 people and injured scores.

NEW YORK CITY

Scott Ladd, a spokesman for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which runs several New York-area airports, including John F. Kennedy International, Newark Liberty and LaGuardia, said the authority’s police force is “stepping up its presence at each of our major metropolitan airports. We're continuing to monitor the situation.”

The authority has its own 1,800-member police force and also is responsible for many of the bridges and tunnels in the area, including the George Washington Bridge and the Lincoln Tunnel, which run between New York City and New Jersey.

In addition, Ladd said, “We are adding high-visibility anti-terrorist patrols to our PATH system and the World Trade Center.” The PATH is a subway that runs between points in New Jersey and Manhattan.

NYPD spokesman J. Peter Donald said "the New York City Police Department is closely monitoring the situation in Belgium and is in close contact with our international partners and with the FBI.

"Until we learn more, the department has deployed additional counterterrorism resources across the city," he said. "These teams have been deployed to crowded areas and transit locations around the city out of an abundance of caution to provide police presence and public reassurance as we closely follow the developing situation overseas."

Donald said there is no known indication of a security risk in New York City. "We will continue to follow the situation in Belgium closely with the Joint Terrorism Task Force and the FBI and adjust the department’s deployments accordingly," he added.

At Manhattan’s busy Penn Station, police teams checked morning commuters’ briefcases and backpacks. The station links the Long Island Rail Road suburban rail line to several subway lines as well as Amtrak's Eastern Corridor trains.

There was no visible sign of extra security at Manhattan’s East 51st subway station, the connection point for the E and 6 subway lines. New York City Police Hercules Teams, heavily armored police officers armed with automatic weapons and accompanied by an explosives-sniffing dog, generally are stationed at the stop roughly once every two weeks.

CHICAGO

In Chicago, interim Police Supt. John Escalante ordered a stepped up police presence at airports, transportation sites and other high-profile locations. The steps are is not in response to any specific threat, according to police.

"There is no current intelligence, threat or nexus to Chicago concerning the Brussels incident. However we prepare and have deployments in place to safeguard critical infrastructure," said Chicago Police Department spokesman Anthony Guglielmi. "Due to the incidents this morning, we have increased our security posture (uniform and non-uniform) at the airports, public transportation systems and other high profile locations."

WASHINGTON D.C.

In Washington, D.C., the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority said it was carrying out K-9 sweeps and additional patrols.

Meanwhile, the city's police chief, Cathy Lanier, urged local residents to be vigilant in wake of the attacks and report anything unusual.

“Being the law enforcement agency that provides public safety to our nation’s capital, the Metropolitan Police Department remains at a heightened state of alert at all times,’’ Lanier said.

“We are aware of the tragic events in Brussels and are actively coordinating the appropriate resources with local and federal law enforcement and homeland security agencies to maintain the public’s safety in the district. As we continue to monitor intelligence reports and work with our federal partners, we ask residents to also stay alert of their surroundings. If you see something, say something.”

BOSTON

In Boston, Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker said that while there has been no credible threat in his state that "security has been strengthened for our public transit systems and airports."

Meanwhile, Boston Police Commissioner William Evans issued a statement saying that, "While there is no specific threat known to the City of Boston, the Boston Police Department has increased presence in the vicinity of transportation hubs throughout the city.

"All department personnel are advised to be extremely vigilant as they go about their duties and to pay particular attention to all transportation hubs," he added.

FEDERAL AGENCIES

The White House said President Obama was briefed about the explosions Tuesday morning at the U.S. Embassy in Havana, Cuba, where he's on the third day of a Latin American tour. He addressed the situation during a speech to the Cuban people.

Attorney General Loretta Lynch was coordinating how the FBI and other federal law enforcement agencies could provide assistance to Brussels authorities, a Justice Department official said. The official was not authorized to speak publicly.

A Department of Homeland Security official said the agency is monitoring developments in Brussels and is in contact with regional counterparts.

The official, who is not authorized to comment publicly, said the agency would adjust security levels when appropriate. But there is no evidence of specific threats against U.S. targets.

There were no indications of specific threats against U.S. targets, authorities said.

Contributing: John Bacon, Kevin Johnson, Kevin McCoy, Aamer Madhani, Trisha Thadani

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