NYPD ready for Election Day threats – “No voter intimidation” according to NYC Mayor De Blasio

Officials of the NYPD announced Monday that they were ready for any kind of terrorist threat that could happen on Election Day, November 8. NYPD were referring to threats from ISIS and al-Qaida which could also be a form of voter intimidation. Mayor Bill De Blasio reassured voters that they won't take these kinds of threats and they will make sure that Election Day ends without any kind of threat.

AM New York reported that in response to these threats, uniformed police officers will be assigned to every polling center. There are more than 1,200 polling sites in NYC.  NYPD Chief of Department Carlos Gomez also announced that more than 5,000 police officers will be deployed.

Included in their security plans are the use of radiation detection, the use of teams from the Critical Response Command (a special police force that are trained to take down shooters) and the help of the Emergency Services Unit (another special police force that specializes in the detection of explosives). There will also be strict checking of bags and belongings along subways.

Commissioner James O'Neill also announced that there will be people in uniforms, marked vehicles and even police in plain clothes as well.

Meanwhile, CBS Local reported that Mayor De Blasio conducted a press conference Monday. The NYC mayor said that voters will know that they are "safe and well-protected." He guaranteed voters that they are trained and able to handle multiple areas at the same time.

NYC's beefed up security was in response to ISIS calling people to attack over the weekend to disrupt the election. Although ISIS has announced many threats over social media about many other events, this kind of threat was taken very seriously by officials. Deputy Commissioner for Intelligence and Counterterrorism John Miller said that they won't be doing anything different and it is basically about public safety, traffic and counterterrorism.

On the other hand, Al-Qaida's threat was first reported at CBS News on Friday. The terrorist group called on their people to attack on Election Day in New York, Virginia and Texas. Officials said that this information is unspecific and is not very credible and is currently under investigation.

Finally, De Blasio said that his city will never be intimidated by threats of terror or by any group that would like to disturb the electoral process. "We will not allow any form of voter intimidation."