Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Police Commissioner Ray Kelly said Thursday night that the NYPD is bolstering its presence citywide and increasing checkpoints in response to what federal law enforcement officials are calling a "specific, credible but unconfirmed threat" of terrorism surrounding this weekend's September 11th anniversary.
Bloomberg and Kelly were joined by Jan Fedarcyk, assistant director of the FBI's New York office, at a press conference.
Click here to watch Mayor Michael Bloomberg's full press conference.
Though details were sparse, the officials implored New Yorkers to use extra caution in the days leading up to the anniversary. “If you see something say something, and that has always been true,” said Bloomberg. “I plan to take the subway tomorrow morning and feel just as safe as I did when I took it this morning."
Fedarcyk reiterated that the public should be vigilant and report all suspicious activity to law enforcement via 311.
Department of Homeland Security officials said earlier in the evening that the threat could potentially be in relation to New York City or Washington.
However, Kelly said that hours will be increased for law enforcement officers through Monday and that many other precautions will be taken in the city. There will be more vehicle checks and baggage inspections at subway stops, and there will be an increased focus on tunnels, bridges, and other infrastructure.
There will also be more bomb-sniffing dogs at the ready, increased towing and more officers stationed at landmark locations, houses of worship, and government buildings.
The mayor also asked all individuals to be on alert.
“The public is far and away the best eyes and ears that the law enforcement has," said Bloomberg. “This is the time to exercise a little more caution.”
CNN reported around the time of the press conference that an unnamed federal law enforcement source had told the network that officials believed the threat involved a vehicle laden with explosives.
However, no officials would confirm that information on the record.
Counter-terrorism officials say terror threat reports tend to increase around the anniversary of the September 11th attacks.
They also say that based on intelligence gathered from the raid of Osama bin Laden's compound in Pakistan, they know that al-Qaida has been interested in attacking again on the anniversary of September 11th.