Thousands Attend Rockefeller Tree Lighting with Increased Security

Thousands Attend Rockefeller Tree Lighting with Increased Security

NYPD increased the security measures for this year’s Christmas tree lighting due to heightened vigilance in the wake of the truck attack in Tribeca in October.

  • By Jessica Davis
  • Nov 30, 2017

Thousands attended the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting in New York City on Wednesday evening alongside increased security measures put in place by NYPD. To see the 75-foot-tall Norway Spruce in person, attendees had to pass through a security screening.

According to police before the event, there were no specific threats made. Instead, NYPD increased the security measures for this year’s Christmas tree lighting due to heightened vigilance in the wake of the truck attack in Tribeca in October.

NYPD Chief of Patrol Terance Monahan described the security measures Wednesday before the lighting that evening.

 “We’re going to have six entry points coming in, at each one of the entry points you’re going to have a magnetometer there so people will be wanded similar to coming in to Times Square,” Monahan said. “We’ve dropped off concrete block surrounding the entire avenue on 5th and 6th, that wasn’t out there last year so we’ve increased that sort of security.”

Umbrellas, alcohol, backpacks and large bags were prohibited at the event. In addition to the security screenings and barriers at intersections, last-minute repairs were made to security cameras and police presence was out in force.

“We’re going to have our sniper teams out, we’re going to have our dogs, the same counter-terrorism overlay that we had for Thanksgiving will be out there again tonight,” Monahan said prior to the event.

 

This is the first year that the NYPD has closed streets around the tree for an extended period. From Thursday until Jan. 2, 2018, 49th and 50th streets between 5th and Avenue of the Americas will be closed to vehicle traffic on weekdays from 5 p.m. until midnight and on weekends from 1 p.m. until midnight.

Spectators seemed to appreciate the visible security at the tree lighting.

“A huge police presence, a lot of dogs, officers, you couldn’t feel more safe,” one visitor said.

About the Author

Jessica Davis is the Associate Content Editor for 1105 Media.

Featured

  • It's Show Time

    I am one of those people that likes to see things get bigger and better. As advertised, ISC West is going to be bigger (more exhibitors) and better (more attendees). It’s show time in Las Vegas. Read Now

    • Industry Events
    • ISC West

  • SIA Releases New Report on Operational Security Technology

    The Security Industry Association (SIA) has released an impactful new resource – Operational Security Technology: Principles, Challenges and Achieving Mission-Critical Outcomes Leveraging OST. Read Now

  • Cyber Overconfidence Is Leaving Your Organization Vulnerable

    The increased sophistication of cyber threats pumped by the relentless use of AI and machine learning brings forth record-breaking statistics. Cyberattacks grew 44% YoY in 2024, with a weekly average of 1,673 cyberattacks per organization. While organizations up their security game to help thwart these attacks, a critical question remains: Can employees identify a threat when they come across one? A Confidence Gap survey reveals that 86% of employees feel confident in their ability to identify phishing attempts. But things are not as rosy as they appear; the more significant part of the report finds this confidence misplaced. Read Now

  • Mission 500 Debuts Refreshed Identity Ahead of Security 5K/2K at ISC West

    Mission 500, the security industry’s nonprofit charity dedicated to supporting children in need across the US, Canada, and Puerto Rico, has unveiled a refreshed brand identity ahead of ISC West. The charity’s new look includes a modernized logo with refined messaging to reinforce Mission 500’s nearly decade-long commitment to serving the needs of children and families in crisis. Read Now

    • Industry Events
Most   Popular

New Products

  • AC Nio

    AC Nio

    Aiphone, a leading international manufacturer of intercom, access control, and emergency communication products, has introduced the AC Nio, its access control management software, an important addition to its new line of access control solutions.

  • 4K Video Decoder

    3xLOGIC’s VH-DECODER-4K is perfect for use in organizations of all sizes in diverse vertical sectors such as retail, leisure and hospitality, education and commercial premises.

  • EasyGate SPT and SPD

    EasyGate SPT SPD

    Security solutions do not have to be ordinary, let alone unattractive. Having renewed their best-selling speed gates, Cominfo has once again demonstrated their Art of Security philosophy in practice — and confirmed their position as an industry-leading manufacturers of premium speed gates and turnstiles.