Revelers celebrating the prom in Times Square can expect a massive police presence and NYPD drones in the skies amid heightened global tensions — including the ongoing threat of spillover violence from the war between Israel and Hamas.
City officials say Gotham remains on high alert following Hamas’s surprise attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which killed 1,200 people and led to the seizure of hundreds of hostages — some of whom remain in captivity.
As a result, the NYPD will be out in force during the New Year’s Eve celebration, which Mayor Eric Adams said will keep the eyes of the world on the Big Apple for one night only — making it the “crossroads of the entire planet.”
“Every year, thousands of people around the world come here to Times Square to celebrate,” Adams said at a news conference on Monday.
“They see the main stage of the ball actually falling,” he said. “What they don’t realize is how much goes on behind the scenes to make sure people are safe.”
That massive operation will involve “the full complement of our law enforcement personnel,” he said — including uniformed and plainclothes officers, mounted officers, drone teams, bomb-sniffing dogs, helicopter crews and members of the NYPD’s intelligence bureau, the Special Operations Division. and others.
Together they will look for any threats to the gathered crowd, which is expected to number around 1 million people.
“We will make sure that everyone who comes here to drop the ball will be safe,” Hizzoner said.
Police Chief Jessica Tisch echoed Adams’ comments, saying that despite the lack of “specific, credible threats” to New Year’s Eve celebrations, the department will remain vigilant.
“The public can expect to see a huge amount of police resources deployed across the area and across the city,” she said.
“That includes members of some of our elite specialist units, including our emergency services, who will be strategically deployed on rooftops throughout the area.”
Tisch added that the NYPD is deploying special pickpocket teams to catch thieves looking to take advantage of the tightly packed crowds — and said security will be tight throughout the area.
“All manholes, mailboxes, vending machines and waste baskets in the frozen zone will be sealed or removed,” she said.
“And frozen safety lanes will be created around the event using blocker cars and concrete barriers,” she continued.
“And as always, there will be plenty of safety measures that you won’t see. No one can handle these types of large-scale events better than the NYPD.”
In addition, both Adams and Tisch emphasized the need for the public to keep their eyes open.
“Safety is everyone’s responsibility,” Adams said. “So if you see something, say something.”
The police commission agreed.
“The audience is our eyes and ears,” Tisch said. “So if you see anything suspicious, or if something doesn’t look or feel right, tell a police officer right away or call 911.”
“The audience’s ability to see something, say something and do something really makes a difference.”
