NEW YORK (WCBS 880) — The annual Village Halloween Parade is set the hit the streets of lower Manhattan on Thursday and the NYPD is ready for anything.
In wake of the U.S. military’s killing of known ISIS leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, there were concerns the terrorist organization may be planning retaliation, but the NYPD reports there are no specific credible threats directed against New York City.
Police Commissioner James O’Neill assured residents that the NYPD is taking no chances.
No vehicular traffic will be allowed to cross the parade route and there will be sanitation trucks blocking streets to make sure. Pedestrians will be allowed to cross, but it will be at seven highly controlled points.
“Our counterterrorism division will deploy its seaburn equipment, our canine explosive teams will be along the parade route and at the subway transit facility,” said NYPD Chief Steve Hughes.
There will be a massive uniformed police presence as well as scores of cops you won't see, but NYPD Commissioner James O'Neill asks both New Yorkers and visitors to keep their eyes peeled.
“Something doesn't look right, we ask you to flag down a cop, call 9-1-1 or contact our toll free counterterrorism hotline at 1(888) N-Y-C S-A-F-E,” he urged.
The commissioner underscored that the NYPD wants everyone to “enjoy this great event.”