For Immediate Release
September 04, 2020

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

Operation NY S.E.C.U.R.E: 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 and Long Island Railroad

 

Law Enforcement Teams Have Conducted 120 NY S.E.C.U.R.E Drills Statewide Since 2018

 

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 will occur at train stations on Amtrak’s Empire Line, and the Long Island Railroad throughout the day on September 8. Now in its third 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. Since the program’s inception in 2018, law enforcement teams have conducted 120 drills across the state.

 

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 and federal rail safety counterparts.

 

New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Commissioner Patrick A. Murphy said, “Traveler safety on New York’s railways is always a top priority and these drills play a critical role in ensuring our stations are safe and secure for all those who use them. I want to thank all of our partners for their ongoing support and coordination, as well as remind the public they have a role in traveler safety too. Remember, if you see something, be sure to say something!”

 

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. drills will take place at the following stations:

 

Albany/Rensselaer

Hudson

Rhinecliff

Beacon

New Hamburg

Poughkeepsie

Peekskill

Croton Harmon

Tarrytown

Yonkers

Brentwood (LIRR)

Hicksville (LIRR)

 

New York State Police Superintendent Keith M. Corlett said, “We are committed to doing everything necessary to ensure local and state first responders are ready to respond to, and mitigate, any type of emergency situation. The preparation and collaboration for these exercises are invaluable to our continuous effort to protect our heavily traveled rail lines. These drills help us prepare to work hand in hand if disaster should strike and ultimately, keeps New Yorkers safe.”

Long Island Rail Road President Phillip Eng said,
“Ensuring a safe environment is our single highest priority at the Long Island Rail Road. The best way we can do this is to support our state and local first responders so that they can be prepared to respond to any and all types of emergencies on our network. We are happy to work closely with our partners in New York State and local police and the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services on these critical exercises.”

 

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."

 

About the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services

The New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services provides leadership, coordination and support for efforts to prevent, protect against, prepare for, respond to, and recover from terrorism and other man-made and natural disasters, threats, fires and other emergencies. For more information, visit the DHSES Facebook page, follow @NYSDHSES on Twitter, or Instagram, or visit dhses.ny.gov.

 

 

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