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For Immediate Release
July 02, 2019

STATE DIVISION OF HOMELAND SECURITY AND EMERGENCY SERVICES ANNOUNCES MULTI-AGENCY RAIL SAFETY EXERCISE

Operation NY SECURE: Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, New York State Police, and Local Law Enforcement Agencies Join Amtrak and MTA Police to Secure the Empire Corridor

The New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services today announced a multi-station “Operation NY S.E.C.U.R.E.” (Securing the Empire Corridor by Unifying Regional Efforts) safety drill taking place at train stations on Amtrak’s Empire Line, beginning at 2 p.m. on July 3. Now in its second year, this program plays a critical role in promoting cooperation between law enforcement agencies on rail lines and improving their capabilities to respond to actual emergencies.

 

Participating agencies include the State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, the New York State Police, New York State Metropolitan Transportation Authority Police, Amtrak Police, and numerous other local law enforcement agencies. An additional drill will also take place on the Amtrak Empire Corridor rail system at the Depew station, as well as on the Long Island Rail Road at the Hicksville station.

 

New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Commissioner Patrick A. Murphy said, “These exercises are essential in helping law enforcement prepare for real emergency situations, as well as increasing the cooperation between the agencies responsible for protecting the railways. I want to thank the MTA, Amtrak, State Police and all of the local law enforcement partners for both their continued partnership and hard work in keeping New York a safe place.”

 

During these drills, officers perform counter-terrorism response activities, as well as incident response exercises at passenger train stations and along the right-of-way on Amtrak’s Empire Corridor rail system. During this time there will be heightened platform patrols, explosive detection canine sweeps, increased security presence onboard trains, and a visible proactive law enforcement presence throughout the railway system.

 

Operation NY S.E.C.U.R.E. will take place on the Amtrak’s Empire service in New York State from the Albany/Rensselaer station to Yonkers and Depew at the following passenger train stations:

 

  • Albany/Rensselaer
  • Hudson
  • Rhinecliff
  • Beacon
  • New Hamburg
  • Poughkeepsie
  • Peekskill
  • Croton Harmon
  • Tarrytown
  • Yonkers
  • Hicksville
  • Depew

New York State Police Superintendent Keith M. Corlett said, “These drills are necessary to ensure we are prepared to respond effectively and efficiently to any possible emergency situation. The planning, coordination and training now, helps to make sure our rail system is safer for riders in the future. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to protect transportation hubs and keep New Yorkers safe.”

MTA Chairman and CEO Patrick Foye said, “Ensuring the safety and security of our customers, employees and the public at large is the most important thing we do. This multi-agency drill is an essential component of that effort to keep our region safe, and all of us at the MTA are grateful for the support of partner law enforcement agencies.”

Amtrak Police Department Deputy Chief of Police Martin Conway said, “Safety is Amtrak's top priority - whether it is on a train, at a station or on our right of way. We will continue to work with our partners to ensure the safety of our customers, employees and infrastructure. We look forward to collaborating with New York State Police, MTA, local police and the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services on this exercise, as well as on new initiatives in the future."

 

 

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