Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the New York Army and Air National Guard will have an increased presence during this New Year’s Eve, conducting extra security missions throughout New York City, most visibly at Penn Station, the PATH terminal, and LaGuardia and JFK airports.
“New Year’s Eve is a time of celebration for New Yorkers, and an increased security presence will help ensure that tonight remains a safe and festive time for all,” Governor Cuomo said.
The Governor authorized an increase in security force personnel of the state’s homeland security division in New York City, Joint Task Force Empire Shield, in September 2014—nearly doubling the size of the force assisting law enforcement and emergency responders.
It is estimated that a million people will celebrate New Years’ in Times Square. The New York Police Department will control all access points to Times Square as part of the evening’s security plans. No bags or backpacks are permitted. Emergency Service squads, drug and bomb sniffing canine units and other counter-terrorism personnel will be present in Times Square on New Year’s Eve.
The National Guard’s 24th Civil Support Team, a full-time rapid response element that detects chemical, biological or radiological hazards, will also provide a detachment in Manhattan to support the New York Police Department. The 22-man detachment, based at Fort Hamilton in Brooklyn has been partnered with the NYPD for counter-terrorism support operations since the unit’s formation in 2010.
At the New York National Guard headquarters in Latham, staff representatives from New York State military forces will man the National Guard’s Joint Operations Center. This command and control node provides liaison and linkage to the State Emergency Management Office and New York State Department of Homeland Security.
The New York National Guard will also provide liaison officers to the New York City Police Department in preparation for the New Year’s celebration.
Additionally, as they do every day, New York Air National Guard members assigned to the Eastern Air Defense Sector in Rome will be monitoring the skies over the eastern United States. The Eastern Air Defense Sector is a component of the North American Aerospace Defense Command and routinely monitors airspace over major American cities.
For more information about the capabilities and organization of the New York National Guard, visit the Division of Military and Naval Affairs website at www.dmna.state.ny.us.
