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7 November 2016—
Mayor Bill de Blasio, Commissioner James O’Neill and officials of the NYPD hosted another press conference on Monday in Times Square to discuss the city’s security on 8 November, Election Day.
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Mayor Bill de Blasio discussed Election Day security during a press conference in Times Square.
Mayor de Blasio: “I want to be clear at the outset – New York City will never be intimidated – never by threats of terror, nor by anyone who wants to do anything to disrupt our electoral process. We’re focused on the big stage tomorrow night, but we’re also focused on our poll sites all over the city during the day. We will not allow any form of voter intimidation. NYPD is ready to step in if we see any evidence of that occurring.”
Why did the Mayor talk about voter intimidation?
Let’s hear it from Chief of Counterterrorism James Waters, NYPD: “Over the weekend, ISIL came out and called on individuals to attack voters in the United States in an attempt to disrupt the election process here in this country. We are well prepared to deal with any situation like that.”
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Police officers with long guns are in Times Square
Commissioner James O’Neill reminded: “You recall that just one year ago we faced perhaps the largest security challenge the NYPD and this City ever had to deal with when Pope Francis visited New York City during the United Nations General Assembly while President Obama and 90 percent of the world’s leaders were here at the same time.” And continued “So this is nothing new to us. So this kind of preparation is nothing new also for the men and women of this great police department.”
Chief of Department Carlos Gomez, NYPD: “Well over 5,000 uniform officers will be assigned to election duty – various types of election duty throughout the day as well as the evening to ensure all New Yorkers are safe, secure, and that the process is orderly. […] This is by far the largest election detail that the NYPD has ever had. It is more than double our previous high. And it is comparable to the detail size that we have here on New Year’s Eve and last year when Pope Francis visited.
Our Counterterrorism Bureau will be out in full force. You will see heavy weapons teams from our Critical Response Command. They’ll be deployed to various locations throughout the city. We will also deploy additional heavy weapons teams. These will be comprised of officers from the elite Emergency Services Unit, as well as from the Strategic Response Group. They will be posted at fixed locations, but they will also have a mobile capacity, and they will be able to respond to any situations that arise here in Manhattan as well as the outer boroughs. We will be deploying all of our explosive-detecting K-9s.”
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K9 dogs are already in Times Square.
Chief Gomez continued: “Civilian-attired officers that are trained in detecting suspicious activity will be deployed throughout the day. Hundreds of police officers will be assigned to mobile field forces ready to respond quickly to any disruption or any demonstrations that may arise. “
Chief of Counterterrorism James Waters, NYPD gave more detailed information: “ We have more than tripled our capacity and our capability to protect New York City with 525 CRC people – Critical Response Command – as well as 800 Strategic Response Group personnel. Long gun trained, counterterrorism trained, and well-prepared to face any threat coming toward us or any danger that comes to New York City.”
Commissioner O’Neill summarized “You’re going to see a lot of police. You’re going to see a lot of uniforms, and a lot of marked cars. So, there’s going to be a lot of police in New York City. And some of it you won’t see. We’ll have other details out there in plain clothes too.”
Get ready to see more officers riding the trains and more comprehensive bag checks, added Chief Gomez.
A question from a reporter made everyone smile: “Commissioner, and other NYPD officials here – you guys are going to be really busy tomorrow. I’m just curious – are you planning to go and vote yourselves?
Commissioner O’Neill: Of course, that’s our civic duty.
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Not only the Mayor and officials, but also a billboard picture was laughing too.
Mayor: That was easy!!!
Democratic Presidential nominee Hillary Clinton, at the Javits Center, and Republican nominee Donald Trump, at the New York Hilton Midtown will have election-night events. Around those areas and Trump Tower area there will be street closures.
Give yourself more time.
Photos: © h. nazan ışık /NKENdiKEN
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