Ryder Cup at Bethpage: Federal, state, local law enforcement form expansive security operation for tournament

Hundreds of uniformed and plainclothes officers are expected to patrol in and around Bethpage State Park next week, as part of heightened security in place for the 45th Ryder Cup, New York State Police announced.

Maj. Stephen Udice said at a news conference Thursday that while there are no credible threats, troopers from around the state, Suffolk and Nassau police and federal law enforcement partners will be deployed to ensure the safety of the players, neighboring communities and more than 250,000 expected spectators.

Law enforcement also will rely heavily on aerial systems like drones and helicopters so "we not only have eyes on the ground, but we have eyes from up above," Udice said.

Plainclothes officers will play an important role in on-the-ground security and are just one of many "behind the scenes" items in ensuring safety.

"There's going to be a lot that you see, but there's also going to be a lot that you don't see behind the scenes," Udice said. "It's always easier to address things when they're smaller before they become bigger."

Specialized officers such as a bomb disposal unit, a chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear response team, and an electronic surveillance team monitoring camera footage will be on site.

K-9 units will also will patrol the course each day before, during and after events. Intelligence units are currently evaluating information from sources and social media. And Garden City, SUNY and Metropolitan Transportation Authority police also will patrol the area.

Udice said officials reviewed plans from previous such events and made adjustments to ease the impact on the surrounding area. He did not disclose the changes but said the Village of Farmingdale will place code enforcement officers on the side streets next week to help the community.

"While we will not be able to completely eliminate the inconveniences and interruptions caused to the surrounding residential and business communities that may come with an event of this size, we've worked very hard to minimize those interruptions as much as possible," Udice said.

Nearby Farmingdale State College announced it will close the days of the tournament.

In light of the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk last week, Udice said state police have received numerous inquiries about changes in security at the Ryder Cup.

"We determine whether there's a nexus here to Long Island, if there's any adjustments that we need to make," Udice said. "Any changes we coordinate with our local police partners here."

Officials have been continuously assessing national, statewide and international incidents at large events since planning began almost two years ago, he said.

Weapons will not be permitted in the park except for on-duty authorized law enforcement personnel assigned to the event with no exceptions, police said.

Spectators also can expect even more heightened security measures when President Donald Trump visits the tournament on Sept. 26.

Udice said since the Secret Service is responsible for keeping the president safe, state police — the main law enforcement in charge of event security — will work with the agents.

There will also be increased police presence when other VIPs attend the event.

Members of the public also should tell law enforcement on scene if they notice any suspicious activity such as someone acting like a "lone wolf."

The announcement comes the day after three Pennsylvania state troopers were killed and two injured in a shooting.

"We’re imploring the public that if they know something, if they see something, to say something and share that with us," Udice said.

Udice also encouraged all to prepare for road closures leading up to and during the tournament. He also requested that anyone who does not need to be in the immediate area to stay away to help reduce the impact on surrounding roads and highways.

Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Wednesday that the PGA Championship will return to Bethpage Black in 2033. The KPMG Women’s PGA Championship also will be played at Bethpage Black in 2028.