Boston beefs up security in wake of Paris attack, cyber hack

As the world reels from a vicious act of Islamic terror in Paris last week, and in the wake of an unsettling cyber hack of the U.S. military’s Central Command Monday by Islamic State sympathizers, national security across the United States is understandably beefed up, and Boston is no different.

Increased security patrols and screenings were in place Tuesday at Boston International Airport following an announcement by U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh C. Johnson outlining the Transportation Security Administration’s bump in the number of random searches of passengers and carry-on luggage boarding aircraft at U.S. airports.

At Logan International Airport, travellers met the news with shrugs.

“It can’t hurt,” said Arthur Hanson, a 38-year-old field technician from West Bridgewater who was headed to Las Vegas. “I travel all the time and I don’t see any difference. It’s America, so of course you feel safe. Why wouldn’t you feel safe?”

Tracy Andrews, a 43-year-old taxi driver from Peabody, thought the beefed up security was an overreaction.

“Travel is difficult enough,” she said. “I don’t think it’s necessary.”

John Hutchens, a 62-year-old from Lynn, was indifferent.

“If you know what to do in security – take off the jewelry and the belt – then you go right through,” he said. “I feel safe and I don’t have a problem with it.”

A man travelling from Minneapolis, Minnesota named Charlie who declined to give his last name thought the beefed up security was a farce.

“It’s security theatre, it’s for show,” he said. “If they’re already at the airport, it’s already too late.”

This week, there was also an enhanced presence of the Federal Protective Service at U.S. government buildings in an expanded list of major cities around the nation.

Johnson described the measures as “precautionary,” and said there is no specific, credible intelligence of an attack of the kind in Paris last week being planned by terrorist organizations in the U.S.

“But, the reasons for these measures should be self-evident to the public: the recent attacks in Paris, Ottawa, Sydney, and elsewhere, along with the recent public calls by terrorist organizations for attacks on Western objectives, including aircraft, military personnel, and government installations and civilian personnel,” Johnson said.

The Boston Police Department was aware of the ongoing and developing incidents abroad, according to Boston Police Officer Rachel McGuire.

“We continue to remain vigilant in patrolling and protecting the city,” McGuire said.

MBTA Spokesman Joe Pesaturo asked customers to remain on alert and report any suspicious activity or unattended packages to T authorities.

According to Massachusetts State Police Spokesman David Procopio, state police has not amped up patrols because the state intelligence does not warrant it.

State Police continually collect, analyze and disseminate intelligence related to terrorist activity and radicalized individuals in the U.S. and abroad, Procopio said.

“We have received, and appreciate, the recent alerts from the FBI and Homeland Security, but they remain general in nature, with no specificity to Massachusetts,” he said. “We remind any citizens who see something or some activity that is suspicious or just doesn’t seem right for its surroundings to call police immediately.”