NEW YORK (WABC) — The upcoming cricket World Cup being held outside of New York City in Nassau County, along with associated events in NYC, could be viewed by extremists “as an attractive opportunity to perpetrate acts of violence or disruption,” according to a new assessment by the NYPD Intel Bureau.
“Recent pro-ISIS propaganda which specifically referenced the upcoming India-Pakistan match at this major event, coupled with sustained official and supporter-generated propaganda highlighting large scale sports venues as priority targets, raises concerns and reinforces the need for heightened vigilance among public and private-sector security partners.”
The NYPD bulletin, obtained by ABC News, references the March attack outside of Moscow along with a series of other incidents that underscore the current threat environment. It also mentioned a May 28 posting on a pro-ISIS channel pointing to “Nassau Stadium” and saying, “you wait for the matches…and we wait for you…”
The assessment was distributed to law enforcement throughout the region.
So far there is no evidence of any plot, but law enforcement is taking no chances.
Gov. Kathy Hochul released a statement saying, “In preparation for the Cricket World Cup, my Administration has been working for months with federal law enforcement and Nassau County to ensure New Yorkers and visitors are safe. This has included close coordination with the New York State Police Counter Terrorism Unit and New York State Police Troop L, based on Long Island. While there is no credible public safety threat at this time, we continue to monitor the situation closely. I have also directed the New York State Police to engage in elevated security measures, including an increased law enforcement presence, advanced surveillance, and thorough screening processes. Public safety is my top priority and we are committed to ensuring the Cricket World Cup is a safe, enjoyable experience.”
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