Police departments across Massachusetts say they're taking extra safety precautions in the wake of two slain New York City police officers.
NECN caught up with Methuen Police Officer Derek Licata, who was out on patrol Monday night.
"We're certainly aware," he said.
Officer Licata wouldn't say what those extra precautions are for his own safety, but says his guard is elevated.
"We're more vigilant as far as if you see someone approaching a cruiser. Obviously, you want to make sure you see them," said Licata.
Methuen Chief Joe Solomon says he doesn't believe there's any direct threat to the department, but his fear is mobility.
He says someone who wants to hurt police could be in Florida now and in Boston the next day.
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"The rhetoric we're getting, whether it be on the news, political officials, I think it's agitating people. That's why I call it stirring the pot, back what we saw in the 1960s," Soloman said.
In Newton, Lt. Bruce Apotheker says when he goes to work, he always has the feeling that "this could be a day where he doesn't go home."
He says he's operating under heightened vigilance, even appealing to the public on social media to keep their eyes and ears open.
"If you see something out there and it's a threatening nature to police officers, or if you hear someone on the street, or if you become aware of some situation where police officers lives are being threatened, you have a duty to inform us," Apotheker said.
Lt. Apotheker now wears black on his badge in honor of the two officers killed. He says not only does the unrest affect the officers but also their families.
"I mean, I'm little more worried now that things are happening across the country, it's a scary thing," said his daughter Danica.
Back in Methuen, Chief Solomon says the community response in the wake of NY has been tremendous. People will go out of their way on the street to thank them for their public service, even dropping off cookies, and pizza, anything to say "Thank you."
