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Two NYPD officers stand against their patrol car in Times Square ahead of the July 4 celebrations. Around 7,000 cops are expected to flood the city for different celebrations amid fears of a terrorist attack
More than 7,000 police officers will flood the streets of New York City during the July 4 celebrations has security is ramped up across the country amid concerns ISIS sympathizers may try and target the event.
The extra cops will be placed at landmarks and in crowded areas as residents watch the firework displays and attend parties around the city.
The heightened security comes as local authorities across the country have been told to remain vigilant this Independence Day, while the FBI has also stepped up its presence.
Intelligence officials have said there is increased 'chatter' on terrorist networks, prompting fears homegrown extremists may try and stage an attack.
Cops stand guard at the entrance of the Port Authority Bus Terminal, with thousands of visitors set to descend on the city for the fireworks displays
Showgirls cheer as NYPD officers keep vigil in Times Square during the Independence Day celebrations
The Bureau and the Department of Homeland Security have issued a bulletin to 18,000 law enforcement agencies nationwide to be on alert.
U.S. Park Police Chief Robert MacLean has said: 'Our nation is under threat, our law enforcement, our military are under threat, so we take the threat seriously.'
The FBI has set up commander centers in 56 of all its field offices across the United States to monitor any potential terrorist threats.
In New York, enhanced counter-terrorism measures will be in place in a bid to avoid an attack.
The state's homeland security department also will increase the staff on Saturday at its 24-hour Emergency Operations Center and the New York State Watch Center, which monitors events across the state.
In Boston, undercover cops and tactical units will be on patrol, supported by helicopters.
The dancers wearing guitars and cowboy hats speak to the officers who are on patrol
US Army members patrol Gran Central Station as visitors make their way to Independence Day celebrations
A heavily armed guard walks around Grand Central station as tourists take in their surroundings
Two counter-terrorism officers watch outside the Annual Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest in Coney Island on July 4
Four officers prepare for their patrol in Times Square on July 4. The extra officers will be stationed at landmark places and crowded streets
Families walk through Times Square as a cop watches on. More undercover officers will be deployed to New York as the celebrations get underway
Boston police commisioner William Evans tsaid: 'Lone wolf is our worst nightmare but we have nothing to indicate we have any of that going on.'
In Washington D.C. there will also be a heightened police presence. Nine security checkpoints will be set up to screen the tens of thousands of visitors expected for fireworks and festivities on the National Mall.
Coolers, backpacks and packages are subject to inspection, and about 18,000 feet of chain link fencing will be installed, the National Park Service said.
We are keenly aware that New York State remains a top target for terrorists
Governor Andrew Cuomo
In Los Angeles, the city's Emergency Operations Center has already been activated as more officers are deployed to the streets.
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo ordered tougher security measures across the state on Friday.
'We are keenly aware that New York State remains a top target for terrorists,' Cuomo said in a statement.
'In response to the warning by the federal government, New York State is taking steps to increase monitoring and communication with our local, state, and federal emergency management and law enforcement partners through the holiday weekend.'
NYPD Commissioner Bill Bratton released a message to his officers, thanking them for taking time away from their family celebrations to keep the city safe.
He said: To the civilian and uniformed members of the New York City Police Department working this Independence Day, thank you.
A boat patrols the water near downtown Manhattan amid tightened security for July 4
The heightened presence comes after the FBI and Homeland Security issued an alert to local authorities around the country, asking them to remain vigilant during the celebrations
'Being away from your friends and families today is difficult, but this city's eight-and-a-half million residents and millions more visitors depend on you.
'After all, the freedoms we celebrate today--those enshrined in the Declaration of Independence 239 years ago and then in the Constitution we uphold--rest on the public safety that you provide.
'Our nation was founded on an idea: that the unified chorus of a free people will never consent to tyranny.
'But Thomas Paine, who was called "the penman of the American Revolution," knew that the hard-won republic must be maintained. “Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom,” he counseled, “must undergo the fatigues of supporting it".'
'By taking the oath you took, you have shouldered a larger share of those fatigues. We are all fortunate that you did.
'The brave men and women of the NYPD will never tire in protecting everyone’s basic right to pursue their ambitions, free from fear. I'm proud to be with you in this mission. And we will deliver on our pledge of one city, safe and fair—everywhere, for everyone.'
Among the cops on patrol will be the 822 rookies who graduated from the Police Academy Thursday, the New York Daily News reported.
Recent terrorist attacks by the Islamic State has caused concern among law enforcement bodies
The move comes amid growing fears that the terror group ISIS is working to awaken sleeper cells in Western nations, after sympathizers were linked to three back-to-back attacks in France, Kuwait and Tunisia last Friday.
While the FBI says there has been no specific credible threat so far, it seems to be more active in its warnings and actions ahead of Independence Day this year than previously.
And some incidents have already sparked concerns among the general public.
Bryan Scott Wolfinger, a 25-year-old sergeant, sparked panic at Cross Creek Mall in Fayetteville, North Carolina last night when he was allegedly spotted wandering through the mall armed.
Fayetteville Police have now charged him with 'going armed to the terror of the public' after it was claimed he had simply arrived to have his photo taken and posed no threat.
The FBI is setting up command centers at each of its 56 field offices across the country ahead of the July 4th weekend over fears of a possible ISIS-inspired terrorist attack. This graph shows all the field offices except for the ones in Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico
A New York Police Officer gives instructions to a traveller at the Port Authority Bus Terminal on July 4
On Thursday an Army soldier was arrested and charged after he was caught walking through a shopping mall with an assault rifle, ammunition and bulletproof vest.
On the same day there was chaos in Washington D.C. following reports of an active shooter at a naval yard.
But the threat turned out to be a false alarm.
The U.S. Air Force has already cancelled planned Independence Day celebrations at a Norfolk RAF base due to the increased risk of a Jihadi terror attack.
The two-day festival was due to be hosted by U.S crew based in RAF Lakenheath and Mildenhall, home to the 48th Fighter Wing at the nearby RAF Feltwell in Norfolk
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