Westchester Cautious on Bin Laden Anniversary

WESTCHESTER COUNTY, N.Y. – Wednesday marks the one year anniversary of Osama bin Laden’s death at the hands of U.S. Navy SEALs in Abottabad, Pakistan, and police departments across Westchester County will be “vigilant and do our due diligence,” in order to prevent a possible terrorist strike, said Irvington Police Chief Michael Cerone.

Cerone also heads one of New York State’s 16 counterterrorism zones, encompassing Westchester and Putnam counties, and said police presence would not be increased because “there’s been no formal threat.”

“We really don’t have much to go on other than our usual routine patrol,” said Cerone. “Tasking, checking train stations, bus stops, strip malls, all the critical infrastructure sites within the county itself and Putnam County.”

He said that the Westchester County Department of Public Safety’s main concern is the “lone wolf that may be out there,” but added that police will be monitoring “anything that we feel on a normal patrol should be touched with regard to counterterrorism.”

Cerone urged people to be aware and alert police if they see anything suspicious. 

“If anybody sees something, say something, please. It’s those initial gut instincts and seconds that can really change the outcome in any type of terrorist act,” Cerone said. “There’s been a lot of these individuals that are looking to get through and do damage and hopefully we can stop them.”

When it comes to the rails, Metro-North will be on high alert and have an increased police presence, said Spokesperson Marjorie Anders. 

Lt. James Ladeairous of the Port Chester Police Department said that while there will be no extra security placed at the Port Chester train station, police will remain vigilant as always.

“We’re always watching just in case but nothing planned any different,” Ladeairous said.

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