‘We’ll be ready’: NYPD at full strength for expected Gaza war protests on New Year’s Eve; Networks take security measures

They tested the New Year’s Eve ball in Times Square today ahead of Sunday’s festivities, but the real spectacle took place in the streets.

In a self-proclaimed “heightened threat environment” since Hamas’ murderous attack on Israeli communities near the Gaza border and the slaughter of thousands on October 7, as well as the Jewish state’s punitive military response, the NYPD is withdrawing all security measures. In anticipation of protests and possible violence, the organization remains open and behind the scenes.

With the big New Year’s Eve special in its final stages, networks are preparing for what is expected to be a restless night.

Amid simmering online chatter and activist promises of a large turnout of pro-Palestinian and anti-Israel protesters on Dec. 31, New York City Mayor Eric Adams spoke at a news conference in Times Square on Friday with Police Chief Jeff Maddrey and other top cops insisted that “it “There are no concrete threats to the city.” But as hundreds of large and small demonstrations for a truce and against Israel have taken place in New York alone since the beginning of October, the former NYPD officer also noted: “As we saw last year “After we had no concrete threats, it became a threat, and we will be ready.” On the last day of 2022, three NYPD officers were attacked with a machete by a 19-year-old Maine man because the US supported Israel.

A self-proclaimed “Shut it down!” Demonstrations and demonstrations for “For Palestine” are being organized by various groups for the afternoon of December 31st. The event was scheduled to begin at Columbus Circle, which is at the top of the NYPD’s planned security perimeter, and on the grounds of CNN’s New York headquarters. After the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade was disrupted by anti-Israel protesters, a spate of anti-Semitism, blocked access to airports in NYC, LA and elsewhere, and high-profile events like the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting over the past two months, the NYPD is under siege. are unusually candid about their strategy this New Year’s Eve

“We’re going to have tow trucks strategically parked next to the actual New Year’s Eve celebrations and we’re going to have drones around the perimeter so we can monitor the protests, potential protests that are coming, in real time,” NYPD Deputy Commissioner Kaz Daughtry said on March 29. December said that the security zone would be expanded during last year’s celebrations.

The signature global New Year’s event that could see a million people flock to Times Square to usher in 2024 for decades.

As broadcasters from across the country and around the world join the expected throngs of revelers in Times Square, CNN returns with its often unscripted New Year’s Eve special starring Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen. With an even more traditional pedigree, ABCs Dick Clark’s Rockin’ New Year’s Eve with Ryan Seacrest The hour-long festivities, co-hosted by co-host Rita Ora, include performances from Queens’ LL Cool J, Megan Thee Stallion, Jelly Roll, Sabrina Carpenter and Tyla, as well as Cardi B, who shines from warmer Miami.

Both networks contacted Deadline and consulted with the NYPD and the city about security concerns arising from the situation in the Middle East. To that end, Mayor Adams added at Friday’s press conference that “the full complement of our public safety apparatus will be on display.” Any attempt at disruption or violence will “not be tolerated,” said the first mayor of this year’s New Year celebrations and the protesters. “It will not be accepted.”

Knowing that the main goal of all protesters is to get the attention of their cameras, a cable news source said, “We are prepared for anything and everything, especially when it comes to the safety of our team.”

A senior law enforcement source told Deadline that the police presence at the New Year’s Eve site itself will be “significantly greater than normal,” even though everything has already been announced. “A lot can happen, we are prepared.”

Restrictions on what can and cannot be brought into Times Square, as well as street closures, go into effect Sunday morning – AKA lose the backpack. The FBI, Homeland Security and State Police will be present, plus newly sworn officers, mounted officers, canine units, bomb squads and more will be present around Times Square.

Officially, the NYPD plans to use, in the words of Deputy Commissioner Daughtry, the “plan” that was implemented with mixed success to stop the disruption of Christmas tree lighting by pro-Palestinian groups last month.

This can be the real test.

Ted Johnson contributed to this report