NYC plans tightest New Year’s security after deadly attacks

New York City police are working to tighten security ahead of the city’s New Year’s Eve celebration in Times Square. 

In a news conference Thursday, law enforcement officials outlined plans to beef up security at the event, including placing countersnipers and rooftop observers on more buildings and checking spectators with metal detecting wands.

New York City Police Commissioner James O’Neill said there were “no direct credible threats” to New York City or any of its New Year’s Eve celebrations but stressed that law enforcement was taking steps to further secure the city. 

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“Out of an abundance of caution, however, you’ll see a stronger police presence out there than we’ve seen even in recent years,” he said at the news conference.

New York Police Chief of Patrol Terence Monahan said spectators will be screened twice before they’re allowed to enter the designated pens at the Times Square event, and heavy weapons teams and dogs would be stationed throughout the viewing area.

Police will also set up sand-filled blocker vehicles to prevent the possibility of a vehicle attack. 

The stepped up security comes in response to two recent terrorist attacks in the city.

On Halloween, a man drove a rental truck onto a bike lane in lower Manhattan, killing eight people and injuring 11 others. And earlier this month, another man detonated a makeshift bomb in a subway passageway near Times Square, though the suspect was the only person seriously injured in that attack.

The Times Square New Year’s Eve celebration is a high-profile event that is expected to draw nearly 2 million people this year and millions more television viewers.