Police to Step Up Patrols in the Five Towns

Nassau County Police have stepped up patrols throughout the Fourth precinct, specifically in the Five Towns, as "a measure of precaution" after Monday's double bomb blast at the Boston Marathon finish line.

"It's strictly a precautionary measure," said Legislator Howard Kopel, describing the extra patrols as a standard police response to terrorist activity elsewhere. "The events in Boston [Monday] were bound to raise concerns about the safety of our local synagogues and Jewish schools, and despite the very low possibility of a similar incident in our community, just to provide an extra layer of precaution, it was prudent to call for increased police surveillance."

County Executive Edward Mangano and the Nassau County Police Department said in a statement that they've been in constant contact with the FBI and the New York City Police Department Anti-Terrorism Unit commanders since the blast. Nassau County Police officials have organized a security meeting this Wednesday with subsequent security briefings in the weeks leading up to the Long Island Marathon, which is scheduled May 3 through 5.

"Our patrol officers have been put on high alert," Mangano said. "We are closely monitoring [Monday's] tragic events that took place at the Boston Marathon, and ask our residents to remember our See Something Say Something Campaign; if something or someone seems out of place, please call 911. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims of those affected by today’s horrific tragedy.”