DATE=12/28/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=NEW YORK - SECURITY (L ONLY)
NUMBER=2-257571
BYLINE=LARRY FREUND
DATELINE=NEW YORK
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: New York City officials say they are taking
steps to prevent attacks by terrorists. Correspondent
Larry Freund reports from New York that plans are
moving ahead for a huge New Year's Eve celebration.
TEXT: New York City's famous crossroads, Times
Square, has been the focus of New Year's Eve
celebrations for more than 90-years. But organizers
of the street party planned for the arrival of the
year 2000 promise it will be bigger and better than
all the others. Scaffolding and stages have appeared
in the central area of Times Square where up to two-
million people are expected to welcome the new year.
"No parking" signs are also in place in the Times
Square area. The city says a 72-block zone
surrounding Times Square will be off limits to cars,
starting midnight Thursday, local time - 24-hours
before a lighted ball descends in Times Square marking
the arrival of the year 2000. The no-car zone is
intended to make it easier for pedestrians to access
the area and to prevent terrorists from using car
bombs.
Security has been a top concern for city officials.
But New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani has criticized the
news media for making more of the possibility of
terrorism than it deserves. He describes himself as
optimistic the city's plan will protect the New Year's
Eve celebrants.
/// GIULIANI ACTUALITY ///
Reasonably optimistic that we have a plan that
is going to work. And I say that because there
is no one who can guarantee perfect safety,
ever.
/// END ACTUALITY ///
Along with the ban on cars in the Times Square area,
the city is also removing wastebaskets from the
streets and banning food vendors. The city plans to
having 37-thousand of its 40-thousand police officers
on duty New Year's eve. Police Commissioner Howard
Safir (safe-er) plans to have eight-thousand officers
in the Times Square area.
/// SAFIR ACTUALITY ///
We will have controlled access, ways for people
to get in on foot. Cars will not be allowed,
certainly. Take public transportation. Do not
bring alcohol. It will be a very good
celebration.
/// END ACTUALITY ///
The lowering of a ball in Times Square to mark the
arrival of the New Year is a tradition started in
1907. The descent of this year's illuminated ball,
two-meters in diameter, will be signaled by a
representative of the international relief
organization, Doctors Without Borders. (SIGNED)
NEB/NY/LSF/RAE
28-Dec-1999 14:40 PM EDT (28-Dec-1999 1940 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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