NEW YORK (1010 WINS) – With over 1 million visitors anticipated to pack Times Square for the New Year’s Eve ball drop, Mayor Eric Adams and the NYPD on Monday announced security plans to ensure public safety.
“This is the crossroads of the entire planet right here in New York City,” Adams said during the press conference. “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 evening’s festivities will begin at 6 p.m. with the lighting and raising of the New Year’s Eve Ball atop One Times Square.
The NYPD is ramping up its deployment this year, with enhanced drone operations. “Last year worked really, really well with the drones,” Deputy Commissioner of Operations Kaz Daughtry said. “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.” Mobile drone teams will also monitor Manhattan and the city at large.
The NYPD presence will also include uniformed officers, plainclothes teams, canine units, officers on horseback, helicopters, and marine patrols. Officials stressed that although there are no credible threats, they remain vigilant given 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,” NYPD Deputy Commissioner Kaz Daughtry said, referring to global threats and the need for meticulous preparation.
The NYPD, in coordination with state and federal agencies, will implement a range of visible and invisible security measures. “The public can expect to see a tremendous amount of police resources deployed throughout the area and across the city,” said NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch. “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 announced the use of additional teams to address specific concerns. “Since everyone will be in tight quarters, we’ll have dedicated pickpocket teams patrolling through Times Square,” she said. “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.”
Additionally, frozen safety lanes will be created using sand trucks, blocker cars, and concrete barriers to guard against potential vehicle ramming incidents. “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 explained.
Despite no credible threats to the event, Tisch talked about the importance of vigilance in the current climate. “At this time, there are no specific credible threats to the Times Square New Year’s Eve celebration,” she said. “However, we have been operating in a heightened threat environment since October 7th, and we remain vigilant.”
Gov. Kathy Hochul also announced statewide security measures, 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.”
Street Closures and Public Access
Traffic detours and pedestrian restrictions will begin early on Tuesday, Dec. 31:
4:00 AM closures: West 42nd – West 49th Street between 7th Avenue and Broadway; West 43rd – West 48th Street between 6th Avenue and 8th Avenue.
11:00 AM closures: West 37th – West 57th Street between 7th Avenue and Broadway; West 37th – West 56th Street between 6th Avenue and 8th Avenue.
Viewing areas will open at 3:00 PM, with entrances at 49th, 52nd, and 56th Streets from both 6th and 8th Avenues. Spectators will be screened for prohibited items, including backpacks, coolers, alcohol, and umbrellas. Once inside, re-entry will not be allowed, officials announced.
Twelve performances are scheduled throughout the night, culminating in the midnight countdown led by Mayor Adams. A full list of performers can be found here.