The NYPD will flood Big Apple holiday markets following a suspected terrorist attack at a Christmas market in Germany Friday that left at least two dead and dozens injured.
Rebecca Weiner, NYPD deputy commissioner of counterterrorism and intelligence, said additional cops will patrol the markets “out of an abundance of caution and to make people feel safe” in an interview with ABC 7 New York.
“This is a very festive time, it’s a very busy time in the city and we are going to make sure all our holiday markets, all our holiday activities are protected … so New Yorkers will see an enhanced presence of officers around Christmas markets,” she told the station.
Tourists at the Bryant Park Holiday Market welcomed the beefed-up police presence Friday night.
“In our time being here, we have seen a lot of NYPD in the city, so it does make me feel a little safer,” Sharon Ramon, 42, of Vermont, told The Post.
“Even if there isn’t a cop standing next to me right now, I’m sure there’s one a block or two away.”
She was horrified to hear about the attack in Germany, but said it won’t stop her from buying holiday gifts.
“Like anywhere else, nobody at that holiday market expected that to happen.”
Robin Phillip, 30, who was visiting from Atlanta, echoed those sentiments.
“I would say I feel safe here,” he said.
“I have my family with me and as long as they feel safe that’s all that matters.”
He called the German massacre “terrible.”
“I couldn’t imagine that happening here though.”
The NYPD stressed there was nothing linking the attack in Germany to New York City.
“We want to reassure New Yorkers that we are going to be protecting our infrastructure and our events over the course of what we hope to be a calm, happy and healthy holiday season,” Weiner said.
The announcement came hours after a 50-year-old Saudi doctor tore through the busy market in Magdeburg, striking scores of people where hundreds were gathered, according to local officials.
He has yet to be named.
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