In light of recent "lone wolf" jihad attacks in Queens, N.Y. and Canada, NYPD announced it is increasing security for the New York City Marathon this weekend, reports The Daily News.
Police Commissioner Bill Bratton emphasized that there have not been any specific threats, but says the recent terrorist incidents "have certainly raised concerns about that lone wolf-type of activity."
Last week, a man with a hatchet attacked a group of rookie police cops on Jamaica Ave. in Queens before being shot down by police. Investigators found evidence of web searches about the Islamic State and Afghanistan on the attacker's computer, and determined he was a "self-radicalized" recluse. NYPD ruled the attack a terrorist act, according to MSNBC.
Earlier the same week, Canadian Zehaf-Bibeau, a recent Muslim convert who had plans to move to Syria, gunned down a Canadian soldier standing guard at the country's war memorial and then attempted a rampage at the Canadian parliament. Investigators believe the attack was driven by ideology, says USA Today.
The increased security at Sunday's race will include 4,000 NYPD officers patrolling the area on ground, four NYPD blimps monitoring from the sky, and 20 vessels circling the city in the surrounding waters, says The Daily News.
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