NYC 4th Of July Fireworks To Draw Tight Security, Massive Crowds

NEW YORK, NY — Security will be tight as huge crowds gather along the East River to watch New York City's annual Fourth of July fireworks show, police officials said Friday. While there's no specific threat to Wednesday's event, thousands of NYPD officers will be on the streets keeping an eye on the Independence Day festivities, top cops said.

"July 4th is not a day off for anyone in the NYPD," Police Commissioner James O'Neill said.

The enormous fireworks display, sponsored by Macy's, will be launched from seven barges floating in the East River between 24th and 41st streets, Chief of Transportation Thomas Chan said. About 2 million people came out for last year's show, O'Neill said.

Spectators can take in the fireworks along Manhattan's FDR Drive at Houston Street, 23rd Street, 34th Street and 42nd Street, as well as a handicap-accessible area at 18th Street and Avenue C.

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Brooklyn and Queens viewers can head to Greenpoint, Williamsburg and Long Island City to watch from the other side of the river, Chief of Patrol Rodney Harrison said. Viewing areas will be set up at Brooklyn Bridge Park, Brooklyn Promenade, Grand Ferry Park, Domino Park, Bushwick Inlet Park, East River Park, Transmitter Park, Gantry State Park and Hunters Point Park.

Large coolers, lounge chairs, blankets and umbrellas will be banned from all the viewing areas, Harrison said. Backpacks are allowed but will be checked.

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The NYPD's counterterrorism forces will be out for the celebration, along with the so-called vapor wake dogs who can detect explosives in big crowds, said John Miller, the deputy commissioner for counterterrorism and intelligence.

"There’s no specific, credible threat to this Fourth of July celebration," Miller said. "That said, we understand it is a symbolic American holiday, which is something we always consider in deployment."

The city's police precincts will be fully staffed to deal with any crime that pops up away from the big attraction, O'Neill said.

The NYPD recently sent 300 additional cops to high-crime precincts in an effort to suppress crime over the summer. But a pair of brutal gang-related killings have roiled The Bronx since last week.

Drivers should watch for several Manhattan and Queens roads to be closed ahead of the fireworks show starting around 3 p.m., including the FDR Drive between the Brooklyn Bridge and 63rd Street.

The NYPD and other law enforcement authorities will also be cracking down on drunken drivers with additional patrols, Chan said.

"If you're going to celebrate and have barbecues and things of that effect, do not drink and drive," he said.

Correction: An earlier version of this story misstated the name of the dogs that can detect explosives. They are vapor wake dogs, not vapor-wave dogs.

(Lead image: Photo by Alex Wroblewski/Getty Images)