Security beefed up on L.A. Metro Rail

LOS ANGELES, March 29 (Xinhua) -- Authorities beefed up security on the Los Angeles Metro Rail system on Monday in the wake of two subway bombings in Russia.

"This is just a precaution," said Rick Jager of Metro Rail. " There have been no threats against transit property in the United States."

The move is part of a "heightened visibility" strategy, Jager said.

The Los Angeles Sheriff's Department, which provides security for the rail system, will deploy extra deputies, along with canine teams, according to Jager.

Los Angeles is among several U.S. cities which took extra precautions in reaction to the Moscow subway bombings earlier on Monday.

The federal government did not immediately make any recommendations for increased security at mass transit systems, but authorities were monitoring the situation, a U.S. official said on condition of anonymity.

At least 38 people have been killed and more than 60 wounded after two female suicide bombers blew themselves up on Moscow Metro trains in the morning rush hour, the first such attacks in Moscow in six years, reports said.