Following a late-night presidential address that confirmed reports that Al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden has killed in Pakistan, New York is on high alert with excess security out and about city.   But that hasn’t stopped crowd from gathering in Times Square and at Ground Zero.

The MTA has reported increased security on all its public transportation and Port Authority has also stepped up patrols.

At the federal level, the Department of Homeland Security released a statement stating; “Our security posture, which always includes a number of measures both seen and unseen, will continue to protect the American people from an evolving threat picture both in the next days and beyond.”

Through the night, New Yorkers have been convening, many still with somber tones but this time they have some version of closure in Midtown and Lower Manhattan

“New Yorkers have waited nearly ten years for this news,” said Mayor Michael Bloomberg in a statement.  “It is my hope that it will bring some closure and comfort to all those who lost loved ones on September 11, 2001.” (NY1)