State Department, Governors Increase Security Ahead of Fourth of July Weekend

                           

NEW YORK (AFP):  U.S. leaders at home and abroad are taking steps to increase security and surveillance ahead of the July 4 holiday, following a warning from security officials that such gatherings could be targets of a terror threat. 

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Department of Homeland Security and National Counterterrorism Center have all warned of an increased risk of attacks during the long Fourth of July weekend

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo is following fellow state and city executives Friday in announcing increased security efforts in his state. Cuomo said he directed the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Office of Emergency Management to enhance monitoring of celebrations and events on July 4.

"We are keenly aware that New York State remains a top target for terrorists," Governor Andrew Cuomo said. "As we celebrate with family and friends this Independence Day, I urge all New Yorkers to not only remember the freedoms that we hold dear, but also remain cautious of their surroundings and learn to recognize and report suspicious activity."

Other major cities, including the capital Washington, were also on heightened guard, although there were not thought to be any specific threats.

The State Department also sent instructions to all its diplomatic posts worldwide to review their security before the July 4 holiday weekend, a senior State Department official told CNN. This alert was sent out to posts a few weeks ago as standard operating procedure before a holiday.

The note called for all embassies and consulates to convene a meeting of their security teams, called an Emergency Action Committee, to assess their current security posture and determine whether any additional measures needed to be taken ahead of the holiday, the official said.

"Our nation is under threat, our law enforcement, our military are under threat, so we take the threat seriously," ABC News quoted US Park Police Chief Robert MacLean as saying.

Most of the high threat posts in the Middle East held their July 4 celebrations last month because the Muslim holy month of Ramadan fell early this year. In other countries where the heat is particularly punishing during July, embassies and consulates have begun to hold their national celebration on Presidents Day.

The State Department had "reminded our posts to review their security posture and procedures," spokesman John Kirby said in a statement.

"The reminder issued by the State Department is routine, done before all major holidays, and is not indicative of any specific security threat," he added.

Across the country, U.S. police departments are heightening their security to combat threats, including some proposed by suspected supporters of ISIS who live in the states. The city of New York and Los Angeles had already announced taking increased steps in security.