The Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services today announced the next "Operation NY S.E.C.U.R.E." (Securing the Empire Corridor by Unifying Regional Efforts) rail exercise which will take place this morning, June 21 at the MTA Long Island Railroad Freeport Station in Nassau County. This multi-agency effort promotes better cooperation between law enforcement agencies and helps improve the state's capabilities to respond to actual emergencies on rail lines. Today’s rail surge exercise follows April’s successful multi-agency exercise and is one in a series of surge events that will take place through the Fall. Currently there are no known threats to the State’s railroads.

Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Commissioner Roger Parrino, Sr. said, "These exercises are an integral part of homeland security efforts across the State of New York and ensuring that law enforcement partners can work together seamlessly is an integral part of training and preparedness.  I want to thank State Police, MTA, and the Freeport Police for their dedication and partnership as we work together for the common goal of keeping New Yorkers safe."

Colonel Michael Cerretto, Director of New York State’s Office of Counter Terrorism said, “The current terrorism threat environment is increasingly complex, making it essential for the State of New York to conduct exercises like these, which strengthen our relationships with local and federal partners and test our ability to respond to a terrorist attack.”

State Police Superintendent George P. Beach II said, “Preparation and collaboration are important components of any emergency response, and these exercises further strengthen our ability to handle any type of incident along these heavily traveled rail lines. I want to thank our members and all participating agencies for their ongoing commitment to protect New Yorkers.” 

MTA Chairman Joseph J. Lhota said, “The safety and security of our customers is the top concern of the MTA Police Department and the entire MTA. We are very pleased to be improving our response readiness and our coordination with our security partners through this program.”

Freeport Mayor Robert T. Kennedy and Police Chief Miguel Bermudez said, “Lessons learned, from acts of terrorism that have occurred throughout the world, have shown us the importance of coordination between law enforcement agencies. This cooperation serves as a tremendous deterrent against those that wish to do us harm. Working together, we will continue to protect and keep our community safe.”

This coordinated effort involves activities such as heightened platform patrols, increased security presence onboard trains, explosives detection canine sweeps, and counter-surveillance measures. The goal of this operation is to improve coordination and response between the railroad police agencies that are responsible for each station, and the state law enforcement agencies that will be responding to emergencies at those locations. 

Participating agencies in today's exercises include the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, State Police, Metropolitan Transportation Authority Police, and Freeport Police Department.

The 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 and Instagram, or visit dhses.ny.gov.