(CNN) — New York officials say there are no credible threats ahead of Manhattan’s annual Fourth of July fireworks celebration, but there will be heightened security, including thousands of police officers across the city.
“There are currently no specific credible threats directed at the Fourth of July fireworks or any other celebration taking place in New York City,” said the chief of the New City Police Department’s Bureau of Patrol Services. York, John Chell, at a press conference on Monday.
Chell, who is overseeing the security of the Macy’s 47th Annual 4th of July Fireworks Show this year, he said that while there are no security concerns, there will be increased security measures and street closures beginning Tuesday.
Fireworks over the East River, seen during the 46th annual Macy’s 4th of July fireworks display in 2022. (Credit: Timothy A. Clary/AFP/Getty Images)
Thousands of police officers will fan out across the city and screen those heading to see the fireworks display for prohibited items such as alcohol, backpacks, umbrellas and chairs, Chell said. The New York Police will also use 115 cameras to monitor the fireworks display on Tuesday.
This year’s fireworks extravaganza is scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. ET, according to Macy’s. A total of 60,000 shells in 30 different colors and shapes from barges parked along the East River near midtown Manhattan. In addition to the fireworks display, the telecast will feature performances by musicians such as Ashanti, Bebe Rexha and The Roots.
“We will be deploying civilian agent teams, heavy weapons teams, bomb squad response teams, drone detection and interdiction teams, and radiation detection teams,” said New York Police Chief of Counterterrorism Judy Harrison. at the press conference.
Police will be monitoring any explosive devices, such as fireworks, with the help of canines and other equipment. Harrison added that New York’s waterways, especially along the East River, will be monitored by radiation detection vessels.
“We started planning for this event right after the end of last year’s festivities,” said Chell, the chief of patrol services. “Devising security plans for events of this scale is what the NYPD does on a daily basis.”
Officials also said air quality concerns were not expected for Tuesday’s celebration, following several days of citywide air quality alerts due to smoke from Canadian wildfires.
Emergency medical units will also be stationed in all public viewing areas for the free public entertainment, Macy’s said.
— CNN’s Zoe Sottile contributed to this report.
2023-07-04 09:20:50
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