NEW YORK (PIX11) \u2014 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.<\/p>\n
The same is the case for First Lady Melania Trump, who was in New York on Monday chairing the United Nations Security Council \u2014 the first time it\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
More Local News <\/a><\/p>\n The NYPD on Monday said that it\u2019s rising to the challenge, but some New Yorkers expressed a degree of skepticism.<\/p>\n The heightened security situation was evident in a\u00a0variety 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.<\/p>\n They were the embodiment of a message that the NYPD had issued on Monday morning, on its X account:<\/p>\n \u201cThe 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.\u201d<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n It also houses, among dozens of other businesses, the advertising firm for which Brianna Henry works.<\/p>\n Make PIX11 your preferred news source on Google: Here\u2019s how <\/a><\/p>\n \u201cDidn\u2019t even notice,\u201d she said about the two officers and their vehicle outside of the office tower, \u201cuntil you told us, to be honest.\u201d<\/p>\n She was among a variety of people who didn\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n When asked how safe the presence of police outside of the Iranian consulate building \u2014 and outside of the Israeli consulate, nearby \u2014 made her feel, Henry said that the\u00a0reason for the enhanced presence was a bit off-putting.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re the center of the world, so it feels targeted,\u201d she said, but added that the law enforcement presence is to be expected. \u201cFor the most, day to day,\u201d she said, \u201cwe got our lunch, we\u2019re about to go into the office, and that\u2019s business as usual.\u201d <\/p>\n About a dozen blocks north of the consulate is the Central Synagogue, one of the region\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n What\u00a0was not there, however, was any in-place NYPD vehicle or officer.<\/p>\n