Did you know an estimated ONE MILLION people gather in Times Square to watch the famous ball drop? People from all over the world start lining up early in the morning and wait around all day for the countdown. For those who don't want to freeze to death, another ONE BILLION people from around the world watch the ball drop on TV. This has been an ongoing tradition since 1907.
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Police use barriers to prevent overcrowding and checkpoints to inspect vehicles, enforce a ban on alcohol, and check all personal items.Not only do you see uniformed officers, but many officers in plain clothing will patrol the streets, keeping an eye out for any suspicious behavior.
Many officers wear palm-size radiation detectors designed to give off a signal if they detect evidence of a dirty bomb, an explosive intended to spread panic by creating a radioactive cloud. There are also bomb-sniffing dogs, Rooftop patrols, and NYPD helicopters circling Times Square.
The bomb squad and another unit specializing in chemical and biological threats sweep hotels, theaters, construction sites and parking garages. They also patrol the Times Square subway stations.
The NYPD also will rely on a network of thousands of closed-circuit security cameras carpeting the roughly 1.7 square miles south of Canal Street, the subway system and parts of Midtown Manhattan.
Another piece of information I never knew myself: The NYPD always seals manhole covers and removes mailboxes to prevent anyone from using them to conceal an explosive or other device.
WOW! I had NO idea that kind of thought and extensive security went into protecting the public on New Years Eve! Thanks for sharing that!
ReplyDeleteI didn't know a lot about it either until I did research, glad you enjoyed it!
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