While the holiday season means parties and gift shopping for most people, for law enforcement officials it’s a time when communities such as Rockland County are most vulnerable to the plots of would-be terrorists.
To increase public awareness of the potential dangers, an estimated 60 law enforcement personnel from 20 different agencies will be out in force on Wednesday in a counter-terrorism effort that will include a high-profile presence at shopping areas, train stations and on the New York State Thruway.
“During the holidays period people are not thinking about dangers like terrorism,” said South Nyack-Grand View Police Chief Robert VanCura, who is part of the counter-terrorism group that covers Rockland, Orange and Sullivan counties.
VanCura said Wednesday’s show of force is designed to encourage members of the public to remain vigilant during the holiday season and to report any suspicious activity or packages they may come across. VanCura said police rely on tips from the public to defuse possible threats.
“We’d rather people call us if they think they see something suspicious, even if it turns out to be nothing, rather than not call us and it does turn out to be something dangerous,” said VanCura, urging members of the public to call 911 if they see something suspicious.
Law enforcement officers involved in the counter-terrorism effort will be distributing “See Something Say Something” flyers, encourage the public to report potential terrorist activity.
In addition to the police presence at malls and train stations, specially-trained officers will be conducting spot checks of commercial vehicles — especially those that make deliveries to malls.
Rockland County Sheriff James Kralik said the special effort is designed to fight complacency.
"You have to make sure the public remains aware and that complacency doesn't overtake us," said Kralik. "From my perspective, there is a legitimate threat until someone else says we are finally out of this."
Kralik contends that densely-populated suburban areas such as Rockland remain targets for terrorists based abroad and at home. He said facilities such as shopping centers, transportation centers and major highways remain high-value targets for terrorists.
Although the counter-terrorism event is a one-day effort, Clarkstown Police Chief Michael Sullivan said he believes the show of force in the community is a good way of reminding the public that they a critical part of the battle against crime and the war on terrorism.
"The obvious fact is we can't be everywhere," Sullivan said. "We're depending on the community supporting us and making a call when they see something suspicious. They can make a big difference."
Here’s where the police presence is planned:
Rockland County:
Malls: Palisades Center mall, West Nyack, 2 to 7 p.m.
Commercial Vehicle Checks:
Route 59 and Exit 14S NYS Thruway 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Trains
Spring Valley train station
Suffern train station
Pearl River train station
Nanuet train station
Sloatsburg train station
Orange County:
Malls: Woodbury Commons Noon to 6 p.m.
Galleria at Crystal Run 3 to 9 p.m.
Commercial Vehicle Checks:
I-84 Eastbound, Town of Wallkill 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Route-32, V/Harriman 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Trains:
Port Jervis station
Otisville train station
Wallkill train station
Campbell Hall train station
Salisbury Mills train station
Harriman train station
Tuxedo train station
Sullivan County:
Malls: Route 42 Corridor Stores 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Commercial Vehicle Checks:
Route 42 Town of Thompson 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
In addition to calling 911, the public can report anything suspicious to the Terrorism Hot Line:
866-SAFENYS (24 Hours)
866 723-3697 (24 Hours)
