The Department of Homeland Security has recommended Stony Brook University increase security measures in the wake of Osama bin Laden’s death, Think has learned. The university is one of dozens of locations around Long Island named by the agency as a “sensitive” area.
According to University Police Department Chief Robert Lenahan, UPD has increased patrols in the last 36 hours, focusing on particularly high-traffic areas like the LIRR station on campus.
“These increased patrols include both uniformed officers maintaining a high visibility presence as well as plain clothes investigators who are monitoring a number of locations,” he said through University spokeswoman Lauren Sheprow.
“The increased patrols are not being implemented in response to any specific threat,” emphasized Sheprow. “But simply for an added level precaution. The University Police Department is continuing to monitor developments and will follow the guidance of the Department of Homeland Security.”
A News 12 report on Monday night highlighted the campus as one of the Department of Homeland Security’s “sensitive locations,” and Suffolk County Police Department Officer Chris Lauria confirmed that local precincts are stepping up their patrols of high traffic areas as well.
“I’m sure it’s a place we’ll patrol more often,” he said of Stony Brook on Monday night.
In addition, train stations across Long Island and the ferry docks in Port Jefferson and Orient Point are receiving heightened patrols.
“We’ve been told to check all the vulnerable entities,” said Lauria.
