With more than 1 million people expected to crowd Times Square for the New Year’s Eve ball drop, Mayor Eric Adams and the NYPD outlined their security plans on Monday to guarantee public safety.
“This is the crossroads of the entire planet right here in New York City,” Adams remarked during the press briefing. “While thousands of people enjoy themselves, we’re going to make sure through all of our agencies involved…we’re going to make sure that they’re safe and enjoy this city.”
The festivities for the evening will kick off at 6 p.m. with the ceremonial lighting and raising of the New Year’s Eve Ball at One Times Square.
This year, the NYPD is increasing its efforts with enhanced drone surveillance. “Last year worked really, really well with the drones,” Deputy Commissioner of Operations Kaz Daughtry stated. “We had about four drone teams inside of the bow tie and inside of the frozen area. This year we’re adding six teams, four inside the bow tie, two on the outer perimeter.” Additionally, mobile drone teams will be deployed to monitor Manhattan and the greater city area.
The NYPD’s presence will be bolstered by uniformed officers, undercover teams, canine units, mounted officers, helicopters, and marine patrols. Authorities emphasized that while there are no immediate threats, heightened vigilance remains necessary due to the “heightened threat environment.”
“All the resources that you heard the mayor, the police commissioner outline are here to avoid that type of a scenario,” said Deputy Commissioner Kaz Daughtry, referring to global security concerns and the extensive preparation required.
The NYPD, working closely with state and federal agencies, will introduce a variety of visible and covert security measures. “The public can expect to see a tremendous amount of police resources deployed throughout the area and across the city,” NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch explained. “That includes members of some of our elite specialized units, including our Emergency Services Unit, who will be strategically deployed throughout the area on rooftops. Our canine teams will patrol with bomb-sniffing dogs. Our aviation unit will be in the skies scanning the event and the surrounding areas with special attention to the bridges and other landmarks.”
Tisch also revealed additional measures to address specific concerns. “Since everyone will be in tight quarters, we’ll have dedicated pickpocket teams patrolling through Times Square,” she noted. “There will also be a hotel response team paying special attention to the hotels in the area. All manholes, mailboxes, vending machines, and litter baskets in the frozen zone will be either sealed or removed.”
To further bolster security, frozen safety lanes will be created using sand trucks, blockade vehicles, and concrete barriers to prevent potential vehicle ramming attacks. “This is why we put so much emphasis on all of the resources that are here focused on keeping this city and this event safe,” Tisch added.
Although there are no credible threats to the event, Tisch emphasized the importance of remaining vigilant given the current global climate. “At this time, there are no specific credible threats to the Times Square New Year’s Eve celebration,” she remarked. “However, we have been operating in a heightened threat environment since October 7th, and we remain vigilant.”
Governor Kathy Hochul also announced statewide security initiatives, including increased staffing by state police, the National Guard, and other agencies. “As we gather in New York City to celebrate the start of a new year, I’ve directed our State agencies to take all necessary steps to ensure that New Yorkers and visitors can celebrate safely and peacefully,” Hochul said. “Public safety is my top priority, and I am committed to using every tool at our disposal to keep you safe.”
{Matzav.com}
