Queens Responds to Boston Marathon Attacks

Story by Matthew Hampton

Queens' elected officials responded to Monday's Boston Marathon bombings with care Tuesday. 

"This is a horrible and senseless attack and my heart aches for all Bostonians, particularly those whose loved ones were killed or injured in this terrible tragedy." U.S. Rep. Grace Meng, D-Flushing, said. "I thank the bravery of the first responders and medical personnel who without hesitation rushed to help the victims. I know that law enforcement will not rest until they track down and bring to justice those responsible for this cowardly act.”

State Sen. Joe Addabbo, D-Howard Beach, said the incident was proof that law enforcement agencies, as well as citizens, in large cities need to be constantly alert. 

"This terrorist act at the Boston Marathon is a stark reminder of the efforts that must continuously be made to ensure the safety of people in each community and throughout our city, state and country," Addabbo said. "I greatly appreciate all governmental personnel, and regular citizens, who do their part in protecting the public from harm."
Mayor Michael Bloomberg also briefed city residents on safety measures taken in response to the incident by the NYPD. 

Bloomberg reminded New Yorkers of the myriad security capabilities that the city's police department already has in place, including security cameras linked to smart threat-detection systems and "chemical, biological, and radiological sensors to allow the NYPD to better detect and investigate threats."

Police Commissioner Ray Kelly said suspicious package reports had increased in the wake of the bombings.

"We ask the public to be vigilant, particularly as far as packages are concerned. And in doing that, and after yesterday’s events, we anticipated that it would be an increase in reports of suspicious packages and indeed there was," Kelly said. "We’ve had in the last 24-hour period 77 such reports. In a 24-hour period similar to this a year ago, we had 21 suspicious packages."