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The New York City Police Department will deploy thousands of officers to protect the massive Independence Day celebrations, a World Cup soccer match, and even the possibility of a famous pop singer's wedding, all amid the intense heat gripping the region.
Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch stated on Wednesday that there are no specific or credible threats to the celebrations, which will include parades of sailboats and naval vessels on the Hudson and East rivers, flyovers, and a massive fireworks display—all during an intense heatwave that could strain medical resources.
Furthermore, the police may also be dealing with another potential event that is being kept under wraps: the wedding of Taylor Swift to American football player Travis Kelce.
“In a briefing on major events happening in New York City this weekend, I would be remiss if I didn't mention an event we are monitoring at Madison Square Garden on Friday night,” Tisch said in reference to the potential nuptials. “The NYPD will, of course, have a presence there, but I am not going to go into any further detail about that at this time.”
Uniformed officers, K-9 units, and heavy weapons teams will be deployed in large numbers along the city's waterfronts for the Sail 250 festivities, which will bring around 100 vessels and some 27,000 sailors, crew members, and dignitaries to the city.
Attendees will have to pass through security checkpoints when heading to the waterfront viewing areas on Saturday, authorities noted.
In the evening, the Macy’s fireworks show will draw thousands of eyes to the sky as 85,000 shells are launched from six barges and a laser show is projected from the Brooklyn Bridge.
Also in the sky: the police department's aviation unit and its drone team, which will be monitoring the city and watching for illegal drones flying over the restricted flight area around the show.
“The message is clear: if there is any illegal drone activity that violates our temporary flight restrictions, your drone will be confiscated,” Tisch stated.
The department will also deploy counter-terrorism resources, explosive detection dogs, bomb squad personnel, and heavy weapons teams, along with plainclothes officers and a harbor unit for the waterways.
Meanwhile, the city will once again impose special restrictions at its busiest rail terminal, Penn Station, on Sunday to accommodate thousands of fans heading across the Hudson to see Brazil face off against Norway in the World Cup. Only those with tickets to the match will be allowed to enter certain parts of the station.
Police have already been installing crowd control fencing and hanging “no parking” signs near Madison Square Garden, which is located above Penn Station, in anticipation of potential crowds of Swift fans and other onlookers hoping to catch a glimpse of something related to the possible wedding.
[Publicidad]