Massive Security Operation Underway to Protect the 73rd Session of UNGA
September 20, 2018
The NYPD, Secret Service and FBI announced enhanced security measures in place for the 73rd session of the U.N. General Assembly. In addition, the NYPD issued a traffic advisory (see below) for the event and was joined by the NYC Department of Transportation, which provided information about upcoming gridlock alert days and the increased traffic volume expected in Midtown Manhattan.
During the General Assembly, a major annual event held by the U.N., the City of New York will host about 200 protectees from around the world. To help ensure the safety of all New Yorkers, the NYPD and its law enforcement partners on the federal, state and local levels will provide thousands of highly-trained uniformed and plain-clothes officers throughout the entire event. Additionally, 48 Department of Sanitation sand trucks will be deployed with hundreds of additional blocker vehicles. Two hundred thirty pieces of concrete block, 96 jersey barriers, and seven surface mounted delta vehicle barriers have also been placed at potentially-sensitive locations. Anyone who sees suspicious activity should alert a police officer or call 911. The NYPD's terrorism hotline is 888-NYC-SAFE.
The General Assembly began on Tuesday, September 18th and continues through Monday, October 1st, 2018. The Department of Transportation has designated weekdays from Monday, September 24th through Monday, October 1st, 2018 as gridlock alert days. Alternatives, including public transportation, bike sharing, ride sharing and parking outside of Manhattan, are strongly encouraged.
"Since the end of last year's United Nations General Assembly, we have been planning how to best-protect the various sites, and all of the people inside them, again this year – while also minimizing the impact on New Yorkers and the vehicular and pedestrian traffic outside," said NYPD Commissioner James P. O'Neill. "It is a balance we strike each year for this event. There are many ways we'll be keeping people safe. And there will be much the public will see, and much the public will not see. I am confident that we are going to again have one of the most well-policed, best-protected events – in one of the safest cities in the entire world."
"The Secret Service carries out its protective mission by relying on a core strategy of forming partnerships with all participating law enforcement and public safety officials," said David E. Beach, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Secret Service New York Field Office. "This National Special Security Event will be no different as there are numerous partners involved in the planning and implementation of the overall security plan."
"Throughout the U.N. General Assembly, the FBI, through our Joint Terrorism Task Force, will work to support the effort of the United States Secret Service, the NYPD and others in order to keep this city and the world's visiting dignitaries safe," said FBI Assistant Director in Charge William F. Sweeney, Jr. "As always, we continue to rely on an engaged public to remain aware of their surroundings and report any suspicious activity to law enforcement as our city once again takes the world stage."
NYPD has issued traffic advisories for Sunday, September 23 through Friday, September 28: