Red, white and extra blue as tight security marks Independence Day celebrations

CHICAGO (FOX 32 News) - Recent terrorist attacks around the world have law enforcement in the U.S. increasing patrols.

The Fourth of July weekend is often a busy one for police anyway, and this year is no different.

If you celebrated the Independence Day weekend at a festival, parade or at a fireworks show, you probably noticed a beefed up security presence. These efforts are happening across the nation and in response to fighting terrorism. 

It was a devastating 24 hours in Saudi Arabia, where three suicide bombers attacked three cities. Four security officers were killed near one of Islam’s holiest sites where the prophet Mohammad is buried, and the area was packed with pilgrims there for the final days of Ramadan - the Muslim holy month that ends this week.

Suicide bombers also targeted a Shiite mosque and a U.S. consulate.

These events, last week's attack at the Istanbul airport and the call from ISIS for more attacks on the West during Ramadan means more security in the states.

"Has it changed anything specifically for security planning for the Fourth of July? There has been some small changes. But we have a pretty tight security plan for the 4th of July. With our partners so it's nothing significant and nothing that should change the ability of people to come here and feel safe and still celebrate,” said DC Police Chief Cathy Lanier.

The Washington D.C. police chief says the majority of the police force will be on the clock and there are no known terrorist threats to the capitol.

Same goes in the big apple, where counterterrorism is key.

"You are going to see CRC out there for the first time, that's part of the turnout this afternoon. That's our Critical Response Command. You're also going to see SRG (Strategic Response Group), we had that last year for the Fourth of July. You're going to see a lot of people in heavy vests and long guns and they can respond at a moment's notice to any incident,” said James O’ Neill, Chief of the NYPD.

New York mayor Bill De Blasio says NYPD has the situation under control.

"It's very, very important to recognize that we have more manpower out than ever before. As we said, a year ago, we didn't even have the Critical Response Command, now they're out in force,” De Blasio said.

On top of the thousands of officers on duty in New York, officials say they are using radiation detection units and dogs that can detect explosives on moving targets.