Increased NYPD security at St. Patrick's Cathedral for Easter weekend

MIDTOWN (WABC) -- The NYPD is beefing up security at churches around New York City as congregations gather to observe Good Friday, the day on the Christian calendar when Jesus died on the cross.

The display of faith inside was matched by the show of force outside, with an increased number of officers posted outside St. Patrick's Cathedral and other locations ahead of the long Easter weekend.

Members of the department's Critical Response Command and Counter-Terrorism Unit are being deployed to key locations, especially after the Palm Sunday terrorist bombings of churches in Egypt last weekend.

The added security is a precaution, and police said no specific threat has been made. Additional security remains in place at synagogues for Passover observances.