On Thursday, the Islamic State released a new propaganda video threatening attacks on New York City.
USA Today reported that the video's authenticity hasn't been verified, and NYC officials have said there aren't any specific threats against the city.
Still, the video showed flashes of bombs and suicide bombers readying for an attack, and then street scenes from Herald Square and Times Square.
"While some of the footage is not new, the video reaffirms the message that New York City remains a top terrorist target," read a statement from the NYPD.
Even before there were propaganda videos released communicating threats upon our city, the NYPD had already planned to beef up security in the wake of last week's terror attacks on Paris where 129 people were killed.
They've deployed officers from its Counterterrorism Response Command to areas frequented by tourists as well as the French Consulate in Manhattan. They've also deployed additional Critical Response Command teams throughout the city "in an abundance of caution."
"While there is no current or specific threat to the city at this time, we will remain at a heightened state of vigilance and will continue to work with the FBI, the Joint Terrorism Task Force, and the entire intelligence community to keep the City of New York safe," the NYPD's statement read.
In a late-night press conference, Police Commissioner Bill Bratton said the video is a "mish-mosh" of old ISIS propaganda videos, and that there is no blatant new threat.
Bratton also stressed that the police force is continually monitoring all possible terrorist threats, but haven't received any information that any threats are imminent.
ISIS released a video on Monday that vowed to attack Washington D.C. and any other country launching air strikes on Syria.
If you want to watch the video, you can do so here.
As for abroad? The night after the Paris attacks, police raided the homes of suspected Islamist militants across France. Then, French fighter jets launched their biggest raids in Syria to date on Sunday, according to the New York Post.
Remember, though: Don't be afraid.
The purpose of these types of videos is to inspire fear and terror, so we win by rejecting fear, and living with courage, and love.
We also urge you to remember that the militants who evoke the name of Islam to pursue violence are not representative of the millions of Muslims who are citizens of NYC. We'd posit that the people creating these videos have no understanding of Islam at all.
Check out 7 Things Every New Yorker Should Be Thankful For.
[via USA Today][Feature Image Courtesy WCPO]