Yesterday, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and Governor Chris Christie adopted protocols under which New York and New Jersey will immediately begin coordinating intelligence-gathering and information-sharing to defend our residents and bi-state transit infrastructures against acts of terrorism, as well as ordered a surge in law enforcement and military personnel to join forces within the metropolitan area to engage in counterterrorism operations by increasing visibility, inspections and surveillance. A Memorandum of Understanding signed by the Governors comes nine days after they held a top-level security meeting in New York with national, state and local law enforcement and security heads to begin mapping out an improved, coordinated anti-terrorism plan. More information is available HERE.

VIDEO of the press conference following the meeting is available on YouTube HERE and available in TV-quality (h264, mp4) format HERE.

PHOTOS are available HERE.

Governor Cuomo's Remarks:

“Thank you very much. First, to all of the officials who have been engaged, Chairman Degnan, Dr. Rodriguez, Superintendent Joseph D’Amico, as well as the other officials on New York and New Jersey side. I thank them all very much for their coordination. They have also been coordinating with local police departments on their respective sides, so I thank the NYPD, Nassau Police, Suffolk Police, Westchester Police, all who have been very cooperative.”

“There is no doubt that these are very serious times. The increased tensions with the international terrorist community is undeniable. It is also undeniable that this region is a target for offensive activities, retaliation, by the terrorist community. We know that. As elected officials, Governor Christie said, public safety is job one. And our job is to make sure we’re doing everything we can do to be prepared. It is about anticipation, it is about preparation, it is about cooperation, it is about coordination. And that is what we have been working on from day one. We have a number of agencies, law enforcement agencies, that are expert in this area. Probably some of the best experts on the globe are in this region. Multiple agencies. That’s both a blessing and a challenge. The challenge is to coordinate all of those agencies and make sure you’re sharing information and everybody’s on the same page and working together. And that’s what this exercise has been about.”

“There is no border between New York and New Jersey when it comes to public safety, and that coordination, that mutuality, is paramount. And that’s the message that Governor Christie and I have been sending from day one, and this is a codification of that, if you will.”

“There were two challenges. First, a ten day response, which was an immediate response. There will then be a thirty day response, which will be a deeper dive, a more coordinated plan. What you’re hearing from both officials today is, you’re going to see an increased police presence on multiple levels – State Police, MTA, Port Authority, K9 units, more baggage checks – so commuters, citizens will see an increased presence. That shouldn’t raise anxiety. If anything, that should provide a calming effect. It says, we’re prepared and we’re getting ready and that’s what the increased presence will signify and I hope it’s interpreted that way. Also, as Governor Christie mentioned, the main asset here are the people of New York and New Jersey. The “See Something Say Something” campaign and effort is vitally important. If someone sees something suspicious – there will be an increased police presence – just tell someone. Just tell someone. You don’t have to be sure. If it looks suspicious, just pass on the information. Better safe than sorry.”

“Governor Christie and I are going to sign a Memorandum of Understanding that codifies much of the cooperative efforts and allows agencies to work together in a way that haven’t before. Again, thanks to all of the agency officials. Special thanks to Governor Christie for his cooperation and all of his attention and effort in this regard. And it will be an ongoing effort. We don’t believe this is going to be a short term situation, and we’re getting prepared for the long haul. Thank you very much.”