NEW YORK (1010 WINS) — The NYPD is keeping up amplified patrols amid the United States and Israel’s war with Iran and a possible terrorist attack in Texas linked to the conflict, the department said on Monday.
Police are continuing to “closely monitor the ongoing hostilities in the Middle East” after a coordinated military campaign was launched in Iran by the U.S. and Israel on Saturday.
Two people were killed and 14 more injured at a bar in Austin early Sunday morning after a gunman wearing clothes with an Iranian flag design and the words “Property of Allah” opened fire, a law enforcement official told the Associated Press.
The incident is being investigated as a possible terrorist attack sparked by the recent operations in Iran.
“Following the mass shooting in Austin, Texas, and as Jewish communities celebrate Purim, we will maintain enhanced high-visibility patrols to sensitive locations citywide,” the NYPD said. “This is due to the heightened threat environment and out of an abundance of caution.”
The intense attacks in Iran have killed at least 555 people, according to the AP, including Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
In an interview with the New York Times on Sunday, President Donald Trump said the assault could last “four to five weeks.”
U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said at a press briefing on Monday that the president “has all the latitude in the world to talk about how long it may or may not take,” confirming it could take “four weeks, two weeks, six weeks. It could move up. It could move back.”
Gov. Kathy Hochul on Sunday criticized the war’s quick and hard beginning, which seemingly entailed no exit strategy.
“It’s deeply disturbing that we entered a war without an exit strategy, and sadly there’s people all across our country, in places like New York City, that are anxious now,” she said.
A protest in Times Square on Sunday called for an end to the strikes, with demonstrators denouncing the war in the Middle East, with signs holding widespread criticisms of Trump and the operations.
“While there have been no specific, credible threats to New York identified, we continue to monitor online activity for any potential threats, and we encourage New Yorkers to remain vigilant and report suspicious activity,” Hochul’s office said in a statement.
Police asked New Yorkers to stay aware of suspicious activity and alert the NYPD by calling 1-888-NYC-SAFE or 911.