Cops on terror alert after ISIS threatens cricket World Cup match on Long Island: ‘Tightest security’
Police are ramping up security on Long Island after ISIS threatened to disrupt an upcoming cricket World Cup match between India and Pakistan at an East Meadow stadium, authorities said Wednesday.
While officials said there had been no “specific threat” of a terror attack at Eisenhower Stadium during the June 9 match, cops are taking no chances when the international championship comes to town.
“This will be the tightest security that Nassau County has ever seen,” Nassau Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder said. “Every single asset in the police department is involved, including our intelligence.
“We have partnered with the NYPD, the MTA, the New York State Police, Suffolk County, FBI and DHS, Customs, have all provided briefings,” Ryder said. “Everything is credible.”
The heightened security follows an ominous online post by the Islamic State on matrix.com.
The May 28 post shows a hooded individual with a rifle strapped to their back, with the message reading, “You wait for the matches… and we wait for you.”
At the top is written “Nassau Stadium” with the date June 9.
According to county officials, there will also be 100 police officers assigned to other area neighborhoods, while the venue itself will be equipped with metal detectors at all the entrances, a no-fly zone overhead and strict limits on what cricket fans can bring with them when they go inside.
Ryder said spectators will not be allowed to linger outside the stadium and no drones are allowed.
“This is like the Super Bowl on steroids,” Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman said at Wednesday’s press conference. “If I wasn’t confident that we were safe, secure and that our healthcare measures were not in place, I would not do this.”
Gov. Kathy Hochul said in a statement that officials in Albany had been working with the feds and preparing for the cricket matches “for months” to ensure that the event isn’t marred by terrorists.
“While there is no credible public safety threat at this time, we continue to monitor the situation closely,” she said. “I have also directed the New York State Police to engage in elevated security measures, including an increased law enforcement presence, advance surveillance and thorough screening processes.”
According to the International Cricket Council, the 11-week World Cup competition will take place at venues in various countries, including eight matches scheduled at the 34,000-seat Long Island stadium.
