Secondary security screenings expected in Times Square for New Year's Eve
TIMES SQUARE, Manhattan (WABC) -- New Year's Eve security preparations are underway ahead of Times Square's biggest night and the NYPD is laying out its plan to help keep revelers safe.
Officials expect millions of people to pack into the Crossroads of the World for the countdown to midnight and the famous ball drop.
For the NYPD, that means a large-scale operation to make sure everyone stays safe.
Mayor Eric Adams and Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch held a press conference on Tuesday to update New Yorkers with some of the security plans in place. Some of those measures will be seen and some will be unseen.
There will be two major differences this year. First, there are going to be even more police officers at the access points on Sixth and Eighth avenues to expedite screening.
Second, there will be mobile teams inside of the pen area conducting secondary screenings if something seems suspicious. So even after visitors are through the main point of entry, there will be separate magnetometer screenings inside of the secure zone.
Tisch said the department added secondary screenings after watching "what goes on around the world, so it's based on what we've learned over the past year and what we have seen throughout the world in the terrorism space."
Authorities say expect to see more police officers deployed this year.
"The public should expect to see thousands of NYPD officers deployed throughout Times Square and the surrounding area, that includes officers from our specialized units including emergency service unit, K-9, bomb squad, heavy weapons teams, our harbor teams, our helicopter and our drones will also be deployed," Tisch said.
According to an assessment obtained by ABC News, New York remains an "aspirational target" because of the magnitude of the New Year's Eve event.
The assessment says that the biggest threat to New Year's Eve in Times Square involves lone offenders or small groups looking to commit acts of violence motivated by racial, ethnic, political, religious or ideological beliefs and grievances.
There is no specific threat at this time, but law enforcement agencies are specifically being told to watch out for vehicle-ramming attacks.
Last year, a deadly truck attack on New Year's Eve in New Orleans killed 14 people and left 57 others injured. And in 2022, there was a machete attack in Times Square on three NYPD officers.
"So we know there's a constant evolution without the known threats, we are well aware that we have to remain vigilant, and that's what these officers, they know what needs to be done," Adams said.
For those making their way to Times Square for the festivities, the celebration starts around 6 p.m. on New Year's Eve.
ABC's "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2026" will go live on Wednesday, Dec. 31, beginning at 8:00 p.m. EST on Channel 7 and streaming the next day on Hulu.
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