NEW YORK (AP/PIX11) — New York City police have increased security at some stationhouses and made at least six arrests over threats to officers after the deadly shootings of two officers last weekend.
Police said Wednesday they were investigating the origin of threats that prompted them to station Emergency Services Unit officers at the 79th and 81st Precincts in Bed-Stuy.
In a surprising move of precaution, FDNY abandoned firehouse next to the 81st Precinct, moving their truck and about 25 firefighters assigned to Engine 222 to a neighboring station house, according to the NY Post.
Meanwhile, the flurry of arrests began with 18-year-old Devon Coley who is facing charges of making a terroristic threat after authorities said he posted an online photo of a man shooting at a patrol car, with a caption suggesting a local precinct was next.
Robert Bowman, 51, of Manhattan was arrested after making a bogus 911 call accusing his cousin of having guns and plotting to kill cops.
The next day, Yasin Shearin, 16, of Staten Island was arrested after making terroristic threats on social media. Roberto Labita, 46, also of Staten Island, was arrested the same day after making a fake 911 call about a motorist who was going to kill cops.
It is unclear what the charges are for the fifth and sixth suspect.
The arrests come after an assessment of hundreds of online postings and calls to 911 and 311. The review has so far resulted in approximately 40 threat investigations. About half of the investigations were closed or referred to other agencies.
One of the threats deemed credible by the Sergeants Benevolence Association were from a Baltimore-based gang Black Guerrilla Family who plotted to “shoot it out” with the two Brooklyn precincts.
Mayor Bill de Blasio says the city “will protect the men and women who protect us.”
