Photo: Hu Zexi

At a press conference leading up to the Christmas weekend, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that there would be additional security personnel from the state police department along with National Guard troops stationed at key transportation hubs throughout the holidays.

Port Authority and Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) will also increase security efforts presence to safeguard New York City.

Photo: Hu Zexi

Additionally, radiation detectors and explosive-sniffing dogs will be used to help secure high traffic density areas.

But Cuomo explained the increase in security was not based on credible threats on information about the threat of imminent danger. The added measures stem out of an abundance of caution.

“Obviously, with Christmas coming up this weekend, Christmas Masses. We’re going to have full counter-terrorism overlays at St. Pat’s, there will be blocker cars, there will be teams out there. We will have truck restrictions on both Fifth and Madison Avenues from 42nd Street up to 57th Street,” said NYPD Chief of Patrol Terence Monahan.

Photo: Hu Zexi

“We will have heavy weapons teams responding throughout the city and throughout Midnight Mass services and through Christmas Day services as well,” Monahan said.

US media recently reported that a California man was arrested for planning an attack at San Francisco’s Pier 39 on Christmas Day.

The 26-year-old Modesto resident and tow truck driver allegedly was going to use his tow truck. Jameson told the FBI that he was connected with senior IS leadership.