NEW YORK (PIX11) — All of the nations directly affected by the war in Iran have official diplomatic offices here in New York, which means they require law enforcement monitoring and protection.
The same is the case for First Lady Melania Trump, who was in New York on Monday chairing the United Nations Security Council — the first time it’s ever been done by a spouse of a sitting world leader. Add to all of that the holiday of Purim, celebrated at synagogues and other Jewish centers, and the need for security right now is particularly high.
The NYPD on Monday said that it’s rising to the challenge, but some New Yorkers expressed a degree of skepticism.
The heightened security situation was evident in a variety of high-profile locations throughout the city on Monday, including at Bryant Park, in Midtown. There, at midday, nearly a dozen NYPD emergency services officers in full tactical gear stood watch, carrying long guns. Standing beside them were the officers of a canine unit.
They were the embodiment of a message that the NYPD had issued on Monday morning, on its X account:
“The NYPD continues to closely monitor the ongoing hostilities in the Middle East. Following the mass shooting in Austin, Texas, and as Jewish communities celebrate Purim, we will maintain enhanced high-visibility patrols to sensitive locations citywide. This is due to the heightened threat environment and out of an abundance of caution. As always, we remind the public to remain vigilant and notify the NYPD of suspicious activity by calling 1-888-NYC-SAFE or 911.”
In addition to Bryant Park, PIX11 News observed officers stationed at other critical locations, including members of the NYPD Counterterrorism Unit posted outside of the Midtown high-rise that houses the Consulate of Iran.
It also houses, among dozens of other businesses, the advertising firm for which Brianna Henry works.
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“Didn’t even notice,” she said about the two officers and their vehicle outside of the office tower, “until you told us, to be honest.”
She was among a variety of people who didn’t know they worked so close to the diplomatic offices of the country, now retaliating against attacks by the U.S. and Israel over the weekend.
When asked how safe the presence of police outside of the Iranian consulate building — and outside of the Israeli consulate, nearby — made her feel, Henry said that the reason for the enhanced presence was a bit off-putting.
“We’re the center of the world, so it feels targeted,” she said, but added that the law enforcement presence is to be expected. “For the most, day to day,” she said, “we got our lunch, we’re about to go into the office, and that’s business as usual.”
About a dozen blocks north of the consulate is the Central Synagogue, one of the region’s largest and most historic Jewish houses of worship. On Monday afternoon, the various heavy concrete and stone barriers surrounding the synagogue were clear obstacles to car bombs or other possible sources of harm to the building.
What was not there, however, was any in-place NYPD vehicle or officer.
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PIX11 News did notice nearby police foot patrols, and since the synagogue is on a busy corner, Lexington Avenue and 55th Street, NYPD vehicles pass it regularly.
That was inadequate coverage for one local resident, who gave only her first name, Michelle.
“If you want to do something about security, it should be here,” she said, gesturing to the synagogue. “Not a couple of blocks away.”
Still, she added, “a little [coverage] is better than nothing at all.”
There may be more security on alert than people realize, said Robert McCrie, a security management professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice.
He said that the NYPD constantly trains for terror incidents and has a strong history of thwarting them before they happen. In addition, Prof. McCrie said, “We have more than 170,000 security officers with licenses in this state.” He said that private security guards are also trained to look out for and react to terror threats, and that they’re a supplement to law enforcement.
Their numbers, McCrie added, are “far more than sworn police officers.”
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