NYPD bulletin issues warning for Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade despite no specific threats
'No known nexus to NYC': NYPD on D.C. shooting that left 2 National Guard members critically injured
NEW YORK (WABC) -- The NYPD mentioned no specific threats to the 99th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade but, in a new bulletin obtained by ABC News, the department's intelligence bureau said the parade is "a potentially attractive opportunity for acts of obstruction, destruction and violence."
The bulletin mentioned the recent arrests in Michigan and New Jersey in connection with an alleged ISIS-inspired plot, the truck attack at the start of the year in New Orleans and brief disruptions to the 2023 and 2024 parades by protesters demonstrating over the Israel-Hamas war.
"The intense polarization of significant international developments including the Israel-Hamas war-even amid a tenuous ceasefire-political flashpoints such as recent nationwide immigration enforcement efforts, and the harboring of other individualized grievances, raises the potential for some demonstrators to clash with law enforcement officers assigned to protective details at major events, which could prove disruptive and pose public safety risks, including-but not limited to-route obstruction and property damage," the bulletin said.
NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch and Mayor Eric Adams spoke Wednesday evening about parade safety and security, which came just hours after a shooting in Washington, D.C. left two National Guard members in critical condition.
Officials in D.C. said an unidentified man raised his arm and opened fire on them in an apparent "targeted attack."
"Unfortunately, what happened in the last few hours is one attack in a growing number of attacks on law enforcement across the country," Tisch said. "The type of thing that we saw in Washington, D.C., tragic. That type of planning has been built into our plans for deployment tomorrow already."
Tisch said there appears to be "no known nexus to New York City," but will continue to track the situation.
Law enforcement officials continued to stress that there is no specific, credible threat to the annual Thanksgiving gathering.
The NYPD says there will be fixed cameras, and drones in the air, plus hundreds of blocker vehicles, barriers and 1,400 metal barricades securing the perimeter to prevent access to the parade route.
"Some of the police personnel will be in uniform, and you'll see, but much of our law enforcement apparatus will not be in uniform doing what they do best to monitor the situation," Mayor Adams said.
Police officials are also stressing that one of their greatest assets will be spectators. So, they are encouraging the public to be responsive and engaged.
Officials will also be watching the weather.
The current forecast calls for wind out of the west sustained 12-25 mph with gusts 30-35 mph. The 32 giant character balloons cannot fly in sustained winds of 23 mph and gusts of 34 mph, so the high end of the forecast range is near the threshold for potential height restrictions.
This year four new character balloons make their parade debut: Buzz Lightyear, PAC-MAN, Shrek's Onion Carriage and Mario.
RELATED | Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade 2025: Everything to know about the 99th annual NYC tradition
----------
* Get Eyewitness News Delivered
* Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts
Submit a tip or story idea to Eyewitness News
Have a breaking news tip or an idea for a story we should cover? Send it to Eyewitness News using the form below. If attaching a video or photo, terms of use apply.
