State police stepping up security at Gillette Stadium on Thursday
The changes come following an explosion in Manhattan's Chelsea neighborhood on Saturday night.
State police will beef up security at Gillette Stadium for Thursday night’s Patriots game in light of the explosion in New York City that injured 29 people, according to Massachusetts State Police.
State troopers are also increasing the frequency of their patrols at public transit stations and regional transportation centers, state police said. Though the state is stepping up security, local officials said there have been no threats to Massachusetts.
“There is no indication of an elevated risk to Massachusetts residents at this time,” said the FBI Boston Division in a statement.
Investigators took 28-year-old Ahmad Khan Rahami, a naturalized citizen from Afghanistan, into custody after a shootout on Monday. Investigators announced earlier that he was wanted in connection with the New York City bombing, as well as an explosion that took place Saturday in Seaside Park, New Jersey, before a charity 5K race. On Monday morning, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo called the bombing a possible act of terrorism with a foreign connection. Boston FBI agents have been in “constant contact” with FBI agents in New York since the explosion in the Chelsea neighborhood of New York City on Saturday night, according to the FBI Boston Division.
The violence in New York prompted the FBI Boston Division to confer over the weekend with security teams at Gillette Stadium and Fenway Park, both of which hosted high-profile games. The games took place without incident.
“At this time, there is no information to suggest a similar threat in Boston,” said Boston Police in a statement.
The Commonwealth Fusion Center in Maynard, which provides 24-hour statewide information-sharing with local, state, and federal public safety agencies, is monitoring intelligence related to the explosion, state police said. As of Monday morning, experts had not found any links between Rahami and Massachusetts, according to state police.
“The administration remains in constant communication with the Joint Terrorism Task Force, the Fusion Center, and state authorities to closely monitor activity and ensure the safety of our Commonwealth,” said Brendan Moss, deputy communications director for Gov. Charlie Baker. “While there are no credible threats to Massachusetts, federal officials and law enforcement will remain vigilant. The governor’s thoughts and prayers remain with all victims and their families during this difficult time.”
The Fusion Center is also monitoring other violent acts that took place over the weekend — specifically, the explosive devices discovered in Manhattan and at sites in New Jersey, the ambush of a Philadelphia police sergeant, and the attack of nine people in a Minnesota shopping mall, state police said. Investigators are also looking into whether any of these events are linked.
“As always, the FBI Boston Division will work with our law enforcement partners to gather, share, and act upon threat information as it comes to our attention,” the FBI Boston Division said.
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