NEW YORK—Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly assured New Yorkers on Thursday that the ball drop on New Year’s Eve at Times Square will be safeguarded by the NYPD.
“It will be a major undertaking,” said Kelly, adding that federal law enforcement officials and New Jersey State Police will be present at the NYPD’s operation center.
There will be several thousand police officers involved. They will also be keeping an eye on fireworks on Liberty Island and in Prospect Park, and a midnight run in Central Park, as well as other area events. A particular concern is celebratory gunfire.
New Yorkers are encouraged to not drink and drive, and to have a safe and memorable evening to herald the beginning of 2012.
