The police security zone surrounding the Times Square New Year’s Eve celebration will expand this year to account for expected protests related to the Israel-Hamas war, officials said Friday.
While NYPD officials did not say how many protesters they anticipate, they said the screening zone where New Year’s revelers are checked on entry will now run from 6th to 8th avenues and from 41st to 57th streets. Hundreds of thousands of people typically attend the festivities, according to the Times Square Alliance, a group focused on the vibrancy of the area.
“That gives us a buffer zone so we can move quickly if we have to, like last year,” Chief of Patrol John Chell said at a press conference held ahead of the event. “It also gives us a space for protesters not to come in here.”
NYPD officials said they were not aware of any credible threats to the event, but added they were preparing for possible lone-wolf attacks like one last year on New Year’s Eve where three officers were assaulted by a man with a machete eight blocks from Times Square.
Police also said they will deploy aerial drones around the perimeter of the security zone to monitor for potential demonstrations. They warned that, as usual for the highly attended annual event, backpacks, duffel bags, large packages and alcohol will not be permitted in the security zone.
At the press conference, Mayor Eric Adams accused protesters at recent demonstrations of “exploiting” an NYPD settlement agreement, reached in September, arising from claims that officers violated demonstrators’ rights during Black Lives Matter protests in 2020. The agreement is meant to boost oversight of police activity and eliminate “kettling,” a controversial tactic where police surround protesters and block their movement.
“I think that people exploit that and we’re seeing some of that exploitation now,” he said. “You’re seeing when you have 5,000 people deciding to block the bridge and all you can do is issue them a…
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