“As always, there will be numerous security measures in place that may not be visible,” she stated. “The NYPD is known for its expertise in handling large-scale events such as this.” Over a million attendees are expected to be present at this year’s annual event in person, as confirmed by Tisch. Counterterrorism officers strategically positioned at various entry points will conduct screenings of attendees upon accessing the viewing areas. Once individuals have entered Times Square, reentry will not be permitted, Tisch emphasized.
“The complete force of our police personnel will be deployed, and both pedestrian and vehicle closures will be strictly enforced,” mentioned New York City Mayor Eric Adams on Monday. “As we gear up for tomorrow’s celebrations, we are committed to ensuring the safety of every individual who comes to visit and partake in the ball drop festivities.” NYPD officers will be vigilantly monitoring the influx of people arriving in Times Square on December 31, 2024.
Despite the forecast of rain, umbrellas will not be allowed. Staggered street closures commenced at 4 a.m. on Tuesday, gradually sealing off a substantial portion of the city from 39th Street up to 57th Street, and Fifth Avenue to Ninth Avenue. The viewing areas were made accessible to the public starting at 3 p.m.
Tisch stressed that backpacks, large bags, coolers, chairs, or alcohol will not be permitted. Additionally, umbrellas are prohibited, despite weather predictions indicating showers and thunderstorms throughout Tuesday night and into Wednesday morning. “We anticipate rain moving into midtown Manhattan between 7 and 9 p.m. on New Year’s Eve, persisting until 11 p.m. to 1 a.m. the following day,” shared Alex Duff, a meteorologist at AccuWeather, in an online forecast. “The rain is expected to be intense at times, resulting in those in Times Square getting drenched throughout the evening.”
The Times Square New Year’s Eve celebration is marking its 120th year. The tradition of thousands gathering to witness the descent of a luminous ball in Times Square originated in 1907, with the inaugural New Year’s Eve festivity at the iconic intersection commencing in 1904.
Through the years, the event has evolved in magnitude and grandeur. Approximately 200,000 individuals congregated in Times Square during the event’s inaugural year. Presently, over a million individuals are projected to witness the ball drop in person, while globally, over a billion are expected to tune in to the event on television, according to estimates provided by the Times Square Alliance.
The original New Year’s Eve ball, a mere 5 feet in diameter, was crafted from iron and wood and adorned with 25-watt light bulbs, as documented by the Times Square Alliance website. This year’s Waterford Crystal ball is a geodesic sphere enveloped with 2,688 crystal triangles, boasting a diameter of 12 feet.
Contributions from Sam
