The NYPD says it will ensure no crowds will be allowed in
Times Square for New Year’s Eve.
The department held a safety briefing Wednesday and shared a
very clear message to anyone wanting ring in the New Year from the crossroads
of the world— stay home.
If you do show up, Chief Terence Monahan says there will be
officers waiting for you ready to disperse any crowds that begin to gather.
The NYPD tweeted out a map of what roads they will be
closing off in Manhattan.
Last year, Chief Monahan says they had probably around 1
million people in Times Square. This year, no one is allowed except for the
performers and their crews.
In anticipation of smaller crowds, the NYPD says there will
be 80% less NYPD officers there, but that doesn't mean Times Square will be any
less safe. In the subways and around Times Square,
they'll have officers with heavy weapons and explosive
detection K9s .
Police will have concrete barriers, sand and sanitation
trucks blocking off the area. There will also be a multi-layer entry point
screening process for anyone going into the area, but again,
no spectators will be allowed together and anyone who shows up will be turned
away.
"Don't come, do not come to the area. If you think
you're going to be able to stand there and watch the ball, you're
mistaken," says Chief Monahan. "Don't come! Watch it at home, it'll
be a spectacular television show. Next year we will all gather together at
Times Square, but this year don't even attempt to come down there and watch
it."
There will be several street closures in and around Times
Square, some of them starting at midnight Thursday.