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How New York Is Protecting Itself Following The Chelsea Incident

by Laura Hankin

On Saturday, a bomb went off in the Chelsea neighborhood of New York, injuring 29 people. Police soon found another device mere blocks away, deactivating it before it went off, and tied the incidents to related explosive devices in New Jersey. In the wake of the events, the city's residents and law enforcement officials have banded together to help keep the city safe, and New York's response to the Chelsea incident shows that the people of the city are reacting to the terrifying event with vigilance, resilience, and even a certain amount of that quintessential New York coolness.

By Monday morning, authorities had identified the alleged suspect in the bombing. The country's Wireless Emergency Alerts system began to blare on cell phones all across the city and in New Jersey, with the message, "WANTED: Ahmad Khan Rahami, 28-yr-old male. See media for pic. Call 9-1-1 if seen." Though some questioned the use of the alerts system for such a purpose (it is normally only used for missing children and immediate safety concerns), the widespread announcement seemed to pay off. A Linden, New Jersey resident contacted authorities after seeing Rahami sleeping in the doorway of a local bar, according to The New York Times, and police apprehended him after a shootout.

Now, law enforcement officials are investigating if Rahami allegedly acted alone or with others. According to CNN, police have beefed up their presence throughout the five boroughs of New York as a precaution, and New Yorkers are, as always, encouraged to report suspicious persons or activities by calling 911.

And though people throughout the city are rattled, they are actively rejecting the terror that the perpetrator of the attacks sought to create. Instead, they're continuing to live their lives as normal, albeit with a heightened sense of kindness and care for others in the community. As President Obama said, speaking at a briefing in New York, where he is preparing to attend the United Nations General Assembly,

We all have a role to play as citizens to make sure we don’t succumb to that fear. Folks around here, they don’t get scared. They’re tough, they’re resilient.

Or, as one bystander told NY1, according to a now-viral tweet, "I heard the explosion, then went to the deli."

The aftermath of the incident highlights the incredible and effective work done by the law enforcement community in responding to the threat, as well as the strength of the New York community, which keeps on going no matter what. Take that, terror. Now, let's all go to the deli.