New York City Increases Security For Its Times Square New Year's Eve Celebrations

Reuters: New York City ramps up security for New Year's Eve celebration

A six-ton crystal ball is ready to be lowered above New York City, colorful paper has been ground into confetti that will rain on Times Square and about 6,000 police officers will guard revelers on New Year's Eve at one of the city's highest-profile events.

"We are ready," Mayor Bill de Blasio told a news conference on Tuesday. "We are the best prepared city in the country, the best prepared city to prevent terrorism and to deal with any event that could occur."

An estimated one million peo ple are expected in the vicinity of One Times Square on Thursday for the New Year's Eve dropping of the ball, a tradition begun in 1907 and broken only during wartime blackouts.

Update: Times Square on New Year's to be 'safest place in the world' -- Washington Post/AP

WNU Editor: Looking at these New York officials .... I cannot help but feel that they are trying to reassure each other that everything will be all-right .... and not the public. Meanwhile .... Moscow's Red Square celebrations have been cancelled .... Moscow’s Red Square Will Be Shut For New Year’s Eve.