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.

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

  • New Report Reveals Top Trends Transforming Access Controller Technology

    Mercury Security, a provider in access control hardware and open platform solutions, has published its Trends in Access Controllers Report, based on a survey of over 450 security professionals across North America and Europe. The findings highlight the controller’s vital role in a physical access control system (PACS), where the device not only enforces access policies but also connects with readers to verify user credentials—ranging from ID badges to biometrics and mobile identities. With 72% of respondents identifying the controller as a critical or important factor in PACS design, the report underscores how the choice of controller platform has become a strategic decision for today’s security leaders. Read Now

  • Overwhelming Majority of CISOs Anticipate Surge in Cyber Attacks Over the Next Three Years

    An overwhelming 98% of chief information security officers (CISOs) expect a surge in cyber attacks over the next three years as organizations face an increasingly complex and artificial intelligence (AI)-driven digital threat landscape. This is according to new research conducted among 300 CISOs, chief information officers (CIOs), and senior IT professionals by CSC1, the leading provider of enterprise-class domain and domain name system (DNS) security. Read Now

  • ASIS International Introduces New ANSI-Approved Investigations Standard

    • Guard Services
  • Cloud Security Alliance Brings AI-Assisted Auditing to Cloud Computing

    The Cloud Security Alliance (CSA), the world’s leading organization dedicated to defining standards, certifications, and best practices to help ensure a secure cloud computing environment, today introduced an innovative addition to its suite of Security, Trust, Assurance and Risk (STAR) Registry assessments with the launch of Valid-AI-ted, an AI-powered, automated validation system. The new tool provides an automated quality check of assurance information of STAR Level 1 self-assessments using state-of-the-art LLM technology. Read Now

  • Report: Nearly 1 in 5 Healthcare Leaders Say Cyberattacks Have Impacted Patient Care

    Omega Systems, a provider of managed IT and security services, today released new research that reveals the growing impact of cybersecurity challenges on leading healthcare organizations and patient safety. According to the 2025 Healthcare IT Landscape Report, 19% of healthcare leaders say a cyberattack has already disrupted patient care, and more than half (52%) believe a fatal cyber-related incident is inevitable within the next five years. Read Now

New Products

  • FEP GameChanger

    FEP GameChanger

    Paige Datacom Solutions Introduces Important and Innovative Cabling Products GameChanger Cable, a proven and patented solution that significantly exceeds the reach of traditional category cable will now have a FEP/FEP construction.

  • A8V MIND

    A8V MIND

    Hexagon’s Geosystems presents a portable version of its Accur8vision detection system. A rugged all-in-one solution, the A8V MIND (Mobile Intrusion Detection) is designed to provide flexible protection of critical outdoor infrastructure and objects. Hexagon’s Accur8vision is a volumetric detection system that employs LiDAR technology to safeguard entire areas. Whenever it detects movement in a specified zone, it automatically differentiates a threat from a nonthreat, and immediately notifies security staff if necessary. Person detection is carried out within a radius of 80 meters from this device. Connected remotely via a portable computer device, it enables remote surveillance and does not depend on security staff patrolling the area.

  • 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.