New York City Is Ready for 2017 New Year's Eve

New York City Officials made already plans on new security measures for 2017's New Year eve celebration that will be held in Times Square. Since terror attacks have been increased globally, NYPD Officials make sure that Times Square to welcome of revelers safely. New Yorkers and Tourists will see  more blocker trucks, trucks filled with sand as an extra security measure in light of the recent terror attacks in Europe where the trucks were used as a weapon to plow into crowds.

NYPD, Homeland Security and Federal Bureau  Investigation released a joint security bulletin last week ahead of the New Year's Eve celebration in Times Square. The bulletin indicated that there is "no information to indicate a specific, credible threat to or associated with the Times Square New Year's Eve 2017 celebration in New York City. However, we remain concerned about unaffiliated lone offenders and homegrown violent extremists targeting the event."

“If you see anything, any New Yorker sees anything suspicious around the City, we need to know about it,” NYC Blasio said. According to the NYPD, 6,000 officers were deployed around the Times Square area last year. That included officers in uniform, undercover officers and some from counterterrorism units armed with high power weapons and bomb sniffing dogs.

NYPD will begin closing down access to Times Square starting at 43rd Street and Broadway, and moving north as revelers arrive. The exact times that these blocks close to pedestrian and vehicular traffic will depend on when the revelers begin arriving. It is likely that there will be no vehicular traffic on either Broadway or Seventh Avenue as of approximately 3:00p.m. Vehicles will most likely have difficulty traveling across town after 3:00p.m. or earlier above 42nd Street and as far north as 59th Street. If you are planning to come to Times Square and join in the festivities, you are advised to enter from 6th or 8th Avenue.

New York City Officials also made the following recommendations to the revelers on Times Square New Year's Eve Celebration

- Use mass transit! Drivers should expect traffic delays, and gridlock at bridges and tunnels.
- Avoid driving in midtown on New Year's Eve.
- Backpacks and large bags are prohibited.
- Alcoholic beverages are prohibited.
- Property may not be abandoned at checkpoints.
- Attendees who leave before the ball drops will not be able to gain entry to their original viewing area.
- Expect delays getting into the Times Square area on foot.
- All visitors must go through metal detectors.
- Large screens will be set up in Times Square for those who cannot get close to the ball drop location at 43rd Street and Broadway.

Here is the NYPD's New Year Eve Handout: http://www.newyearseve.nyc/nyc/for-residents-businesses/nypd-new-years-eve-handout/index.aspx#.WGUQJbYrLBI