Though there is no specific threat, federal, state and local law enforcement agencies “remain concerned” that New Year’s celebrations in Times Square on Tuesday could be targeted by people seeking to carry out large protests or acts of violence, according to a copy of an interagency threat assessment.
The assessment, compiled and produced by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security each year, reviews the types of threats and potential security concerns with the annual ball drop in midtown Manhattan.
The New York Police Department’s assessment — included in the DHS memo — is that the city and the United States broadly continue “to face a heightened and dynamic threat environment amid ongoing geopolitical conflicts, which may contribute to mobilizing a variety of extremists and malicious actors to violence against mass gatherings, iconic locations, and high-profile events.”
DHS said its concern about people who may attempt “simple, unsophisticated attacks that are difficult to detect in advance” stems from the political climate in the Middle East.
“The Israel-Hamas conflict has created a heightened threat environment; therefore, the Intelligence Community remains concerned about lone offenders encouraging threats of violence against Jewish, Muslim, Christian, and Arab communities in response to the ongoing conflict,” the agency said.
Mayor Eric Adams lauded his city’s first responders Monday and said Times Square will be safe for those ringing in 2025 in the iconic celebration.
“We’ll make sure each one of those who come here to visit and enjoy the ball drop will be safe,” he said. “There’ll be officers in uniform and out of uniform. We’re going to make sure we have the omnipresence of the blue uniform.”
NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said Monday that although there are no specific threats for the celebration, police have been operating under a “heightened threat environment” and remain “vigilant.”
