What to know about NYPD security plans for New Year's Eve in Times Square
NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch and outgoing Mayor Eric Adams hold a briefing Tuesday on New Year's Eve security. Credit: Ed Quinn
The NYPD is taking additional precautions to secure the New Year’s Eve celebration in Times Square on Wednesday night, including a new screening process, the commissioner said.
While there is no serious, credible threat to the event, there will be extra counterterrorism officers at the major screening areas leading to the crowd pens, NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said at a news conference on Tuesday. Additionally, once the crowds are in place for the ball drop inside the penned areas around Times Square, special groups of mobile officers will electronically screen people as needed, she said.
The added screening efforts will supplement traditional NYPD security measures, with thousands of uniformed and plainclothes officers working in the area. Officers from various NYPD special teams, from aviation and bomb squad personnel to heavy weapons units, will further secure the area, Tisch said.
There's a general awareness in policing of the threat facing festive crowds, most recently in the mass shooting at a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach in Australia.
If you're planning to make the trip into the city for the bucket list experience, one thing is for sure: You should not plan to drive.
After Seventh Avenue begins closing to vehicles in Times Square at 4 a.m., it'll be fully closed to vehicular traffic between 38th and 59th streets at about 11 a.m., as will Broadway, Tisch said. Sixth and Eighth avenues will close to both pedestrian and vehicular traffic at about 4 p.m.
Entry to the crowd pens will be at 45th, 58th, 52nd and 56th streets, at Sixth and Eighth avenues, Tisch said. Alcoholic beverages, coolers and other large items are prohibited, and once people enter the pens they won't be able to leave without going through security again.
The LIRR is running extra trains, both before and after midnight. Performers during the New Year's Eve celebration include the Motown legend Diana Ross.
Mayor Eric Adams, whose 4-year term ends at midnight, implored visitors to "spend money" in the city.
"Listen, it has been a blast," he said of his tenure in office. "I'm looking forward to a single malt Scotch and a cigar."
Anthony M. DeStefano has been a reporter for Newsday since 1986 and covers law enforcement, criminal justice and legal affairs from its New York City offices.
Mixed reactions after U.S. attacks Venezuela Both anger and happiness were felt as many, including LI Venezuelans, reacted to the U.S.-led ouster of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro. NewsdayTV's Andrew Ehinger has more.
Mixed reactions after U.S. attacks Venezuela Both anger and happiness were felt as many, including LI Venezuelans, reacted to the U.S.-led ouster of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro. NewsdayTV's Andrew Ehinger has more.
