Credit: SEPTA
Commuters using SEPTA will notice an increase in patrols this week after two apparent terrorist bombings just a short drive from Lower Bucks County.
SEPTA Chief of Police Tom Nestel along with police in towns where there are Regional Rail stations said patrols will be stepped up to keep commuters safe. Nestel, who spoke to reporters from a Philadelphia train station, also asked riders to call police if they seem something suspicious.
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“We have no information that we are in danger in Philadelphia,” Nestel said. “We have no information that SEPTA is at risk.”
Despite the lack of credible threats, a Afghan native who is a naturalized American is suspected of being behind an IED explosion in Seaside Park, New Jersey, New York City and near a train station in Elizabeth, New Jersey. No deaths were reported, but more than 30 people were injured in the New York City bombing. The early Monday morning explosion near the train station appeared to be closer to a pub rather than the train station, but its location near mass transit did raise some fears.
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While Nestel has increased visible patrols on the transit system in the wake of the attacks, Bucks County officers will be supplementing any regional transit police patrols. Officers in Bristol Township, Bristol Borough, Middletown and Tullytown – where the Levittown-area’s four train stations sit – will be increasing their efforts to watch over commuters.
“Our sector cars will be making more frequent checks of both stations – Langhorne and Woodbourne – and our bike patrol officers will ride through and patrol each station several times during their daily patrols,” Middletown Chief of Police Joseph Bartorilla said.
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In Tullytown, Chief of Police Daniel Doyle said he asked officers to increase patrols and their visible presence during peak commuter times at the Levittown station. He said he heard of the Elizabeth, New Jersey bomb at 4 a.m. and immediately ordered officers to step up patrols.
“I know that folks are afraid, but we deal with fear in a different way,” Nestel said. “We control (our fear) and we forge forward.”
Steve Henry, Bristol Borough’s chief of police, came to Bucks County after working years as a law enforcement official in Ocean City, which is where Seaside Park sits. He said that the attack along the course of a charity run for military veterans at the shore point “solidifies that these types of attacks can take place anywhere.” He said that the attack demonstrates that “homegrown violent extremists” can carry out attacks or reside in any town.
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“We also want to encourage individuals to immediately contact 9-1-1 if they think they see any suspicious activity or objects in or around the rail stations and stay clear until police arrive and evaluate,” Bartorilla said.
“The public’s vigilance is our best defense against terrorism and crime in general,” Henry said.
