THE WORLD IS ON NEW YEAR’S EVE ALERT
6,000 cops to patrol in NYC; Brussels, Paris snuff fireworks
From the bright lights of Times Square to the capitals of Europe and at football stadiums from Florida to California, revelers won’t be the only busy people this New Year’s Eve.
Police and security officials will be out in force across the globe Thursday, less than two months after terrorist attacks in Paris and San Bernardino, Calif., amplified normal concerns about potential terrorism.
A National Terrorism Advisory System Bulletin said, “Though we know of no intelligence that is both specific and credible at this time of a plot by terrorist organizations to attack the homeland, the reality is terrorist-inspired individuals have conducted, or attempted to conduct, attacks in the United States this year.”
That includes emphasis on big public events that are constantly under threat, including college football bowl games and the annual mass gathering at Times Square in the heart of New York.
When the lighted ball drops at midnight to usher in 2016, it will hover over an area patrolled by 6,000 New York police officers, and thousands of others will be scattered across the Big Apple.
Security warnings have been issued for other major events Thursday, notably a series of college football bowl games. Those include the two NCAA college football championship semifinal games — one near Miami and the other in the Dallas-Fort Worth area — as well as the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif.
Celebrants in Las Vegas, some no doubt betting on the games, are encouraged to leave bags, backpacks and strollers at home for celebrations on The Strip and in casinos.
Security is also tight in the nation’s capital, Washington, and in cities worldwide, especially in Europe.
Officials in Brussels have canceled their annual New Year’s Eve fireworks display.
Paris canceled a fireworks display during its traditional holiday street party along the Champs-Elysées. Amid heightened security, a light and sound show at the Arc de Triomphe will be cut from 20 minutes to 10 in an effort to avoid large crowds gathering for too long a period.
Across the English Channel, about 3,000 police officers will be on duty in central London for a New Year’s Eve celebration.