Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
NYC plans new security measures at Times Square New Year’s Eve celebration
By
Catalina Gonella
Published Dec 30, 2025
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
TheStewartofNY / FilmMagic via Getty Images
By
Catalina Gonella
Published Dec 30, 2025
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Police for the first time will conduct a second layer of security screening at the Times Square New Year's Eve festivities this year, New York City officials said Tuesday.
Beyond the usual screenings at access points to the event, “mobile screening teams” will patrol the viewing area for the world-famous ball drop as part of these additional security measures on Wednesday into early Thursday, according to authorities.
“The secondary screening is something that is net-new this year,” NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said at a press briefing Tuesday. “It's based on what we've learned over the past year and what we've seen throughout the world in the terrorism space."
"If we see anything that looks suspicious, we will have teams in place to do appropriate screening," she added.
Tisch and Mayor Eric Adams said there are currently no credible threats to the celebration. He said officials will have “zero tolerance” for people who interfere with the event or engage in other “disorderly behavior” across the city heading into the new year. Thousands of police officers will be on duty around Times Square.
Officials urged revelers to use mass transit to get to and from Times Square, where an estimated 1 million people are expected to gather. If you’re planning to attend the festivities or travel through Manhattan on New Year’s Eve, here’s what you need to know.
Bulked-up security
The NYPD will deploy more police officers at the Times Square access points on Sixth and Eighth avenues this year than it did last year, authorities said. This includes counterterrorism officers and other specialized units, such as emergency services, canine units and bomb squad and heavy weapons teams, along with helicopters and drones.
There will also be teams dedicated to responding to any pickpocketing or hotel incidents in the area, Tisch said. NYPD personnel will also watch fixed and mobile security cameras, while intelligence teams will monitor social media for potential threats.
Accessing Times Square
Viewer entry points open at 3 p.m. on Wednesday and will be located on West 45th, 49th, 52nd and 56th streets at Sixth and Eighth avenues, officials said. They will close as those viewing pens reach capacity, Tisch said.
Street closures
The event will start disrupting traffic in the area early Wednesday morning. Detours will be in place from 42nd to 49th streets between Seventh Avenue and Broadway starting at 2 a.m. and continuing through the rest of the day, according to officials. Nearby parking garages will shut down at 11 a.m. and trucks will also be restricted in the area starting at that time. For a full list of street closures, check out the city’s website.
What to bring, and what not to bring
Officials advised spectators to dress warmly for the event, since cold temperatures are expected. Viewers will not be allowed to bring certain items into viewing areas, including backpacks, large bags and coolers, picnic blankets, chairs, alcohol, drones, laser pens, umbrellas and any other bulky items that can obstruct people’s views, according to the NYPD.
Staying updated
The city’s Emergency Management agency will use its official emergency communications program to keep New Yorkers and visitors up to date on the festivities. To sign up for alerts, people can text NEWYEARSEVE or NOCHEVIEJA to 692692 (NYCNYC). For similar updates on Thursday’s mayoral inauguration at City Hall, they can text NYCMAYOR, NYCMAYORESP, or NYCMAYORFRE to 692692.
Tagged
Times Square
manhattan
midtown
new year's day
new year's eve
new york city
public safety
Catalina Gonella
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Dump truck driver hits and kills cyclist on 34th Street in Midtown, NYPD says
It's the latest in a string of hit-and-run deaths in the city in recent months.
By
Liam Quigley
Published Sep 28, 2026 at 4:15 p.m. ET
New ingredient mandated for Latin American kitchen, restaurant plates in NJ
The Garden State now requires that corn masa dough and flour made and sold in the state be fortified with folic acid.
By
Arya Sundaram
News
New ingredient mandated for Latin American kitchen, restaurant plates in NJ
The Garden State now requires that corn masa dough and flour made and sold in the state be fortified with folic acid.
By
Arya Sundaram
A Brooklyn jail cell filled with smoke. The emergency button failed, a lawyer said.
By
Samantha Max
Crews launch tunnel machines to dig first new Hudson River rail tunnels since 1910
By
Michael Sol Warren
NYC nor’easter dries up after weather service reports minor flooding
By
Ramsey Khalifeh
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .