NYPD Prepares For Safe, Star-Studded New Year's Celebrations

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

New Year's Eve Celebration In Times Square: Security Tight As New York City Is Set To Have a Ball


Expect a bright "blue moon" and a big blue wall of security tonight when revelers pack Times Square for the globe's greatest annual New Year's Eve celebration.

"I can't think of a better place and a safer place to be in the whole wide world," Mayor Bloomberg said Wednesday. "I'm going to be here with my family, and I hope you're going to be here."

The first decade of the new millennium ends with security concerns after last week's failed airplane bombing and yesterday's scare involving a van abandoned in Times Square.

Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly said New York was still considered the No. 1 target of terrorists - and law enforcement would respond accordingly.

The hundreds of thousands of partyers expected on a night with temperatures in the 30s and a serious threat of rain are barred from bringing backpacks, large bags and alcohol.

A large number of uniformed cops will appear throughout Times Square, along with less obvious anti-terrorist measures like detectors for radiation and biological agents.

In addition to the NYPD presence, the FBI will deploy more than 100 agents throughout the night. The Joint Terrorism Task Force, involving the FBI and NYPD, will establish a command center for the evening.

The National Guard will provide security at Penn Station, PATH train stations and LaGuardia and Kennedy airports.

"We take every threat seriously," said Bloomberg, who also revealed his resolutions for 2010.

"I'm going to try to learn to speak a little bit better Spanish," said Bloomberg, who starts his third term on Jan. 1. "My mother suggests I also learn to improve my English.

"So, we'll work on both of those."

The festivities, along with the usual confetti and falling Waterford crystal ball in Times Square, will feature a rare blue moon this year - and no, it's not actually blue.

The blue moon is the second full moon in a single month, a celestial event that happens about every 21/2 years.

"If you're in Times Square, you'll see the full moon right above you," said Jack Horkheimer, host of the PBS naked-eye astronomy show "Star Gazer."

Performing live in Times Square are the cast of the Broadway show "Hair," rockers Daughtry and the Bronx's own Jennifer Lopez.

For the first time, revelers around the globe can join in the Times Square fun with a live Webcast starting at 5:50 p.m. today and running until 12:20 a.m. tomorrow.




View Larger Map


Sources: NY Daily News, MSNBC, NYPD.com, Zimbio, Planetgreen.discovery.com, Google Maps