Holiday sights include counterterrorism units
“It’s been a lovely day with no issues. I feel absolutely safe here with all the police officers.” Betsy Bright, visiting New York from Nashville
NEW YORK – The city sidewalks are dressed in holiday style — as well as dotted with blockades, bomb-sniffing dogs and heavily armed counterterrorism personnel.
It’s Christmastime in the city. In an area at risk for terrorism, that means a meshing of festive holiday displays and high-level security. That was especially apparent after Monday’s pipe bomb blast in which three bystanders were injured.
This year, about 6 million holiday visitors will descend on New York City through New Year’s Eve, estimates visitors bureau NYC & Company. Although many New Yorkers are accustomed to pronounced security, seeing officers with assault rifles standing near Christmas trees can be jarring for tourists and locals alike.
For those in New York this holiday season, here’s what to expect: Rifle-toting military and police. Heavily armed NYPD counterterrorism personnel stand feet from revelers who joyfully snap pictures in front of the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree. Blockades outside stores, markets. A large NYPD barrier stands on the street just outside a holiday light-clad Tiffany store while white blockades line the street side of the outdoor Columbus Circle Holiday Market. The Union Square holiday market farther downtown also has protective boulders.
Police vehicles. Parked police cars with flashing lights sat close to the Rockefeller Center tree Monday night. Tuesday morning, at least seven police vehicles were near the Columbus Circle Holiday Market.
Many visitors took the contrasts of holiday cheer and counterterrorism in stride.
The Winter Village at Bryant Park — a couple of blocks from the pipe bomb explosion — was filled with people hours after the blast. They strolled through pop-up shops and skated on the central ice rink.
Betsy Bright, visiting from Nashville, said she wasn’t concerned about her safety.
“We went to see the Rockettes, and after that we went to Grand Central Station, and now we’re here at Bryant Park, and it’s been a lovely day with no issues,” she said. “I feel absolutely safe here with all the police officers.”