MID-HUDSON – Area public officials have reacted to the killing of eight people and injuring of a dozen more by a man who drove a rented vehicle on a bike path in Manhattan late Tuesday afternoon. The man was shot and wounded by police.
Congressman Sean Patrick Maloney said he is “praying for all the innocent people who were killed, those who were hurt, and the families of everyone involved.” He said, “It will take a lot more than this coward to stop New York.”
“We watch with shock, sadness and anger as New York City is attacked once again,” Rockland County Executive Edwin Day said. “The people of Rockland County stand with our neighbors in New York City as we did on February 26, 1993 and September 11, 2001 when our freedoms were attacked and innocent lives were lost. As a former commander in the NYPD, I can assure the people of Rockland County that there is a top-notch public safety component in place to keep us safe. As always, if you see something, say something.”
Day noted that people Rockland residents work in New York City including members of NYPD and FDNY.
“Many of our Rockland County relatives, friends and neighbors work in lower Manhattan, and many serve with the New York City Police and Fire departments,” said Toney Earl, the chairman of the Rockland County Legislature “I worked in New York City for 27 years and know the stress a family deals with until they get that phone call from you telling them you are safe. Unfortunately, tonight, at least eight families will not receive such a call.”
Earl said, “We’re not going to allow these cowards to scare us behind closed doors, but must commit to sticking together against those who seek to use terror against us.”
Orange County Executive Steven Neuhaus said the “horrific tragedy is a reminder that we must remain vigilant about public safety and continue to train to prevent attacks such as this.” He said the county sends its “thoughts and prayers to the victims of this senseless act of terrorism and their families. We are also grateful for the emergency responders who responded to the scene and risk their lives for us every day.”
State Senate Democratic Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins of Yonkers said, “Our thoughts and prayers go out to those who were killed and injured during today’s tragic incident in New York City.” She said, “Thank you to the NYPD and first responders for their response in the face of danger.”
US Senator Charles Schumer, a resident of Brooklyn, said, “As one of the thousands of New Yorkers who regularly rides on the path where this attack took place, I’m particularly grateful to the NYPD and first responders who work day in and day out to keep us safe, and to those that responded to the scene today. As the investigation unfolds, it’s critical that we learn what we can from this incident and do everything we can to prevent this from happening again. The scourge of terrorism is unfortunately still with us, and we must remain vigilant as ever.”
