NEW YORK (WABC) — The New York Police Department’s Anti-Terrorism Maritime Unit is preparing the Hudson River for the nation’s largest Independence Day celebration.
The New York Police Department said there are no specific or known threats to the city or Macy’s fireworks display on Thursday, but it’s important to remain on high alert for large events that could be targeted in terrorist attacks or by a lone perpetrator.
This year, police are using new technology, including drones and water, to keep everyone safe.
NYPD Detective Patrick Golden of the NYPD’s Marine Counterterrorism Unit gave Eyewitness News an exclusive look at the techniques used to keep communities safe during the busy holiday season.
Lieutenant Golden introduced the latest anti-terrorism boats, which can travel at speeds of over 60 miles per hour, are equipped with radiation detectors that can sniff out bombs, and receive alerts twice as fast as other ships.
The boats are equipped with high-tech equipment to spot explosives hidden on piers and bows and also help respond to alarms as quickly as possible.
At police headquarters, officers gathered with dozens of partner agencies to discuss safety.
The importance of their work was underscored by an FBI bulletin released Tuesday that called Macy’s fireworks an “attractive target” amid two wars and a growing threat of terrorism around the world.
“There is truly nothing we cannot accomplish, so when we prepare for an event like this, we prepare for the unknown,” said Acting NYPD Commissioner Michael Kemper.
The New York Police Department said it is prepared for a city that will forever live in the shadow of 9/11.
“So, I think the global threat environment right now is more complex than it’s been in any time that I can remember, particularly in the last 20 years. This is not just our assessment, this is the assessment of all our partners. So we absolutely have to be prepared for all of these scenarios that may seem fanciful,” said Rebecca Weiner, NYPD Deputy Chief of Counterterrorism.
One fantasy scenario the FBI is warning about involves drone attacks on large groups of people watching fireworks in New York City and around the country.
The New York Police Department has a plan in place to stop that from happening.
Any day other than Thursday is a particularly pressured one for the NYPD, as events of great importance take place in New York Harbor and are watched by millions of spectators and hundreds of millions around the world.
There’s all sorts of technology out there to detect all sorts of rogue items, but this year there’s a new focus on drones.
The threat of “attack drones,” specifically unmanned aerial systems that drop explosives on crowds, has been at the forefront of the FBI’s terrorism bulletin.
Police have installed drone detectors throughout the city and can detect and take control of unauthorised devices.
The New York Police Department plans to fly drones to monitor the waterfront area during the event.
“While people are watching the show, NYPD officers are out there watching for unusual events. They’re not watching the show, they’re watching you to make sure you’re safe. To make sure New Yorkers are safe,” said NYPD Chief of Operations Caz Daughtry.
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