NEW YORK — The NYPD and FBI are preparing to secure Times Square for the hundreds of thousands of visitors expected at Sunday’s New Year’s Eve celebration.
Police will set up a perimeter from Sixth Avenue to Eighth and from 41st Street to 57th. Officers will check people entering the zone, in part to make sure they’re not bringing backpacks, duffel bags or alcohol.
The NYPD is also preparing for protests like the one near the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting in November.
“Those who want to peacefully protest, you have the right to do so. But you’re not going to do it at the expense of those who are coming here to peacefully bring in the new year,” said Mayor Eric Adams.
Police have been dealing with more protests than usual this year. There have been more than 450 protests in New York City since the start of the Israel-Hamas war.
The FBI said it received an influx of tips about potential threats since the Oct. 7 Hamas attack, but investigators said there were no credible threats to New York City.
On New Year’s Eve, agents at the FBI’s New York office will be watching cameras for any potential dangers.
Adams said the NYPD reviewed the response to last year’s machete attack on two officers near Times Square to make sure police are prepared for anything.
“And we’re going to make sure we continue to be laser focused, not to be distracted when you have a threat of that magnitude,” said Adams.
In addition to the thousands of officers who will be deployed, police are also planning on watching from the sky using drones.
The NYPD said the Counterterrorism Bureau will be monitoring for potential dangers and that people can expect a safe, fun night.
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