New York Governor Andrew Cuomo yesterday ordered heightened security measures across the state over the US July Fourth holiday weekend in response to a call for vigilance by the federal government.

“We are keenly aware that New York State remains a top target for terrorists,” Cuomo said in a statement.

The Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Bureau of Investigation have issued an alert calling for local authorities and the public to remain vigilant for possible threats following recent calls for violence by Islamic State militants.

In New York City, the nation’s largest municipal police force assigned about 7,000 officers and nearly all its counterterrorism personnel to handle security around Independence Day events.

Cuomo expanded the stepped-up security measures to include the entire state in a directive to the New York Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services.

New York remains a top target for terrorists

“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,” Cuomo said.

The state’s homeland security department will also increase the staff on Saturday at its 24-hour Emergency Operations Centre and the New York State Watch Center, which monitors events across the state.

Last week, terror attacks in Tunisia, Kuwait and France prompted US Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson to issue a statement calling for increased vigilance over the patriotic holiday in the US.