Thousands of police on patrol in NYC for 2018 celebrations

World Today

People heading to Times Square in New York City for the ball drop for New Year’s Eve will see even more police on patrol.
The heightened security comes in the wake of recent attempted terrorist attacks in the Big Apple.

CGTN’s William Denselow reports.

The threat of terrorism is a reality for the people of New York. That was the message from New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, in the wake of an attempted pipe bomb attack earlier this month.

“When we hear of an attack on the subway it’s incredibly unsettling. And let’s be also clear that this was an attempted terrorist attack.”

About a month earlier, eight people were killed in a truck attack on the West Side Highway. Concrete blocks are now in place in popular tourist spots in a bid to prevent such acts from happening again.

This, as New York officials estimate some six million visitors are spending holiday time in the city.

Now, law enforcement is gearing up for the city’s famed New Year celebrations.

Experts, like John Jay College of Criminal Justice professor Maki Haberfeld, say we can expect to see a wide deployment of forces.

“You’re going to see not just NYPD but you’re going to see other law enforcement agencies, you’re going to see the New York State Police, you’re going to see the National Guard, you’re going to see more presence of the MTA police officers.”

But keeping the city safe is not something that law enforcement can do alone. They say that it’s up to everyone to be on the lookout for suspicious behavior. And if you see something, say something.