(WNY News Now) As officials look into the terrorist incident in New Orleans, Governor Kathy Hochul assures New Yorkers that their safety is still a top priority.
This morning’s (January 1) terrorist act in New Orleans serves as a terrible reminder of the danger that terrorism in all its forms poses to our nation, our freedom, and our way of life. We wholeheartedly denounce the cowardly terrible deed committed against defenseless New Year’s revelers. Although more details are still being discovered, published reports indicate that this attacker might not have been acting alone. As information regarding this attack develops, I have instructed the New York State Police (NYSP) to remain on high alert even though there is no known connection to New York State. To make sure we gather, disseminate, and evaluate threat information as soon as possible, the NYSP and Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES) maintain continuous communication with the FBI and other federal partners, the New York Police Department, and state fusion centers across the nation.
The state of New York has a long history of funding homeland security and law enforcement counterterrorism programs and equipment. During my administration, we have expanded the number of State Police members assigned to the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force and contributed an extra $10 million in annual counterterrorism funding to support local government efforts to disrupt and intervene in the radicalization process. Furthermore, we have expanded the NYSP Office of Counterterrorism and DHSES with additional personnel, intelligence tools, and other resources because I think our homeland security and law enforcement professionals should have access to the best resources and training.
Every time New Yorkers have faced the horror of terrorism, we have emerged stronger. We are prepared to assist our fellow citizens in New Orleans in whatever manner we can. However, I want to emphasize that both the administration and I take this threat very seriously, so New Yorkers may feel secure. We shall keep up our efforts to ensure the safety of New York.
Share this:
Note: Every piece of content is rigorously reviewed by our team of experienced writers and editors to ensure its accuracy. Our writers use credible sources and adhere to strict fact-checking protocols to verify all claims and data before publication. If an error is identified, we promptly correct it and strive for transparency in all updates, feel free to reach out to us via email. We appreciate your trust and support!