(The Associated Press circulated the following article by Pat Milton on July 7.)
NEW YORK — New York City was on heightened alert Thursday morning following a series of apparent terrorist attacks on London’s public transit system.
Increased police coverage of subways, buses and transit stations was ordered throughout the city.
Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly was meeting with police officials and executed other security plans, a law enforcement source, speaking on condition of anonymity, told The Associated Press.
“We cannot live in fear. The greatest way to deter terrorism is to continue with our way of life,” Gov. George Pataki said on WNYW-Fox 5 News. “Let the police deal with security and be alert. Report any suspicions but continue to enjoy the greatest society the world ever created.”
An executive order signed by Pataki allows Connecticut and New Jersey law enforcers to ride on New York mass transit, including Long Island Rail Road, Metro-North and PATH trains, said Pataki spokesman Dave Catalfano.
As they have been since the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, passengers were being urged to report any suspicious activity.
About 4.5 million passengers use New York’s subways daily.
The Homeland Security Department asked authorities in major U.S. cities for heightened vigilance of major transportation systems after the London explosions. A shaken Prime Minister Tony Blair said the series of “barbaric” terrorist attacks were designed to coincide with the opening of the G-8 economic summit in Gleneagles, Scotland. The United States was among the eight countries taking part in the summit.