As New Year’s Eve approaches, the NYPD is rolling out a large-scale security operation for Times Square, where officials expect massive crowds for the annual ball drop.
According to Gothamist, the department’s plan centers on layered security and advanced screening to manage one of the world’s most high-profile public gatherings. The NYPD will also deploy its Emergency Services Unit (ESU), along with canine units, bomb squads, and heavy weapons teams.
ESU’s presence follows a year in which the unit has been repeatedly called upon for high-risk, complex operations. Most recently, according to The Washington Post, ESU officers assisted with rescue and recovery efforts during Hurricane Helene, responding to dangerous conditions and life-threatening emergencies.
That experience, officials say, underscores why the unit plays a key role in large-scale events requiring rapid response and tactical readiness.
At a press briefing this week, Mayor Eric Adams and NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch outlined what New Yorkers and visitors should expect on New Year’s Eve.
While there is no specific or credible threat tied to the celebration, authorities emphasized that New York remains an “aspirational target” for intelligence officials due to the event's size and global visibility.
According to ABC 7 Eyewitness News, one of the most notable changes this year is the addition of secondary screening inside the secure viewing zones. In addition to magnetometers at entry points along Sixth and Eighth avenues, mobile screening teams will operate within the viewing pens to conduct follow-up checks if something appears suspicious.
“The secondary screening is something that is net-new this year,” Tisch said, explaining that the move reflects lessons learned from recent global security incidents. “If we see anything that looks suspicious, we will have teams in place to do appropriate screening.”
Thousands of officers will be deployed throughout Midtown Manhattan, including counterterrorism units, K-9 teams, bomb squads, heavy weapons teams, harbor units, aviation support, and drone operations.
Intelligence teams will also monitor cameras and online activity for potential threats, while separate teams will focus on quality-of-life issues such as pickpocketing and hotel-related incidents.
“The public should expect to see a very strong presence,” Tisch said, adding that both visible and unseen measures are designed to keep the event running safely.
Adams echoed that message, stressing vigilance without alarm. “We know there’s a constant evolution,” he said. “That’s why we stay ready.”
For attendees, Times Square festivities begin in the early evening, with viewing areas filling quickly. Officials continue to urge the use of public transportation, as street closures and traffic restrictions will be in effect throughout the day and night.
The ball drop will once again be broadcast worldwide during Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2026, airing live on ABC starting at 8 p.m. EST.