Gov. Chris Christie said Saturday night that the United States needs strong leadership, especially after Friday's deadly attacks in Paris. APP
Christie, who is running for president, spoke Saturday at the Republican Party’s Sunshine Summit in Orlando, Florida, where he delivered a 20-minute speech that opened with his reflections on Sept. 11, 2001, and his time as U.S. attorney.
Christie said he initially planned talk about the economy and deliver some jokes but the Paris attacks that killed at least 129 people changed his mind. The governor said he sees the world as it really is but that President Barack Obama sees it as a “fantasy.” He also said his experience best qualifies him to be president.
New Jersey State Police said Saturday "there is no credible threat to New Jersey'' in wake of Friday's terror attacks in Paris that left at least 127 people dead, although Port Authority of New York and New Jersey police are operating under heightened alert.
"At this point, we're still operating under normal operating procedures,'' said Sgt. Jeffrey Flynn of the state police.
"We are monitoring the situation,'' he said. "At this point, there is no credible threat to New Jersey. We're just reminding our troopers on patrol to operate with heightened vigilance. We're operating business as usual.''
The Port Authority issued a statement saying the bi-state agency's police are on "heightened alert at all of the agency's bridges, tunnels, rail, World Trade Center and other facilities,'' following the Paris attacks.
That includes the PATH trains and the area's three major airports.
"Actions include increased patrols and checks of bags, buses, trucks and trains at agency locations,'' the Port Authority's statement said. "Travelers are reminded to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to police or other authorities.''
Travelers should brace themselves for possible delays.
"People should contact their airlines to see if there are any cancellations or delays and prepare for the need to arrive early for their travels,'' said Neal Buccino, a spokesman for the Port Authority.
Travelers can go to the authority's website, www.panynj.gov, to sign up for alerts about delays at the agency's airports, the Port Authority bus terminal, PATH trains and bridges and tunnels, Buccino.
The State Police also is asking the public to look out for anything unusual in the wake of the Paris attacks.
"We're reminding people that if anyone sees something suspicious, if you see something, say something,'' he said.
Anyone who does observe anything suspicious should call their local police station or dial 911, he said.
Officials at state police headquarters continue to monitor global events, along with federal, local and county officials at the New Jersey Regional Operations and Intelligence Center in West Trenton, Flynn said.
State Police superintendent Col. Rick Fuentes said on Facebook that the best defense against an attack is intelligence-sharing at all levels combined with “the eyes and ears of concerned citizens.”
He said people are understandably concerned about the possibility of an attack here.
“Let’s use those concerns to strengthen our diligence in being aware of our surroundings and reporting suspicious activity,” Fuentes said.
In Monmouth County, sheriff's officers will have an increased presence at transit hubs, malls and other high-profile areas, said Sheriff Shawn Golden.
"We're monitoring the events in Paris,'' Golden said. "There is no obvious threat to our area or the United States at this point, but as with any attack like this, we're taking precautions.''
Monmouth University in West Long Branch posted a statement on its website Friday night to report that all of its students currently in Paris as part of a study abroad experience were safe and accounted for and that university officials were in contact with its partners at Regent’s University in London who organized the trip to Paris. Monmouth University was working with Regent’s University to coordinate the safe return of the students to London after the French government reopened its borders, the statement said.
"The Monmouth University community is shocked and saddened by the violence that claimed the lives of so many in Paris (Friday)," the statement said. "We know these events raise concern for the safety of all of our students studying outside of the U.S. ... We have reached out to all Monmouth University students studying outside of the U.S. to extend our support and ensure their safety. The safety and well-being of our students is our primary concern."
Gail Towns, a spokeswoman for Georgian Court University in Lakewood, said none of their students were currently studying in Paris.
The Ocean County Sheriff's Office is operating as usual, which has meant constant vigilance since the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks on American soil, Sheriff Michael G. Mastronardy said Saturday.
"We have taken steps prior,'' he said when asked if any extra steps were being taken to safeguard Ocean County after the Paris attacks. "After 9/11, we're on constant alert. We're constantly training and preparing for anything that could happen, not only in the county, but in the larger area. We have no information that there are any threats.''
There was no visible increase in security outside the Oyster Creek nuclear power plant in Lacey on Saturday, which has been turned into a veritable fortress in the 14 years since the 2001 attacks. For seven years after 9/11, the nation's oldest commercial nuclear plant was guarded by State Police, the New Jersey Army National Guard and the Lacey Township Police Department, in addition to its private security force.
Between 2001 and 2008, plant parent company Exelon Corp. spent more than $100 million to upgrade security at its 10 nuclear plants throughout the United States. Elevated, bullet-proof watch towers with firing positions were constructed around the perimeter of the Oyster Creek plant, supplemented by improved checkpoint stations and a network of Jersey barriers. Since 2003, private security forces at nuclear facilities in New Jersey have been permitted to carry semi-automatic weapons and the appropriate ammunition in sufficient quantity. Before then, the state's strict anti-gun laws prohibited civilian guards even at nuclear plants from possessing such firepower.
Christie had taken to Twitter Friday night to assure the people of New Jersey that steps were being taken to protect the state in the wake of a series of terror attacks in Paris.
Christie tweeted from his gubernatorial account saying he is working with the state's Homeland Security department and State Police to make sure the proper measures are taken.
French president Francois Hollande placed the country under a state of emergency after coordinated attacks at six separate sites. The Islamic State has since claimed responsibility.
Christie and Senator Bob Menendez also tweeted offering prayers to victims and their families.
Menendez issued a statement Friday night offering prayers and condemning the terrorism.
"As the President has said, we view this not only as an attack on Paris, but as an assault on humanity and the universal values we share,'' Menendez said in the statement. "As the situation continues to develop, one fact remains: The world must condemn these acts, as I do now.
"We can only hope, as Americans experienced after 9/11, that through such unspeakable tragedy, an entire nation and world can come together as one,'' he said. "Tonight, we are one with France.''
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