While a suspect in the Sept. 17 bombing in Chelsea, New York City, has already been charged, the attack has added to security concerns over the United Nations General Assembly taking place in the city on Sept. 19-26.
As heads of states from around the world gather for the summit, the New York City Police Department is charged with keeping the city safe.
“We will have a very strong and visible NYPD presence,” Mayor Bill de Blasio said during Sept. 19 press conference. “You will see heavily trained officers and well armed officers.”
He specifically mentioned the NYPD counter-terrorism unit, the Critical Response Command, as well as the Strategic Response Group, the unit tasked with security for major events.
Officers will walk through subways, check bags of passers by, and sweep areas with bomb sniffing dogs, de Blasio said.
As usual, the area around the United Nations, at 1st Avenue and 42nd Street, is surrounded by street closures that started on Sept. 18 and will continue until Sept. 23.
The following streets have one traffic lane dedicated to emergency vehicles:
• 42nd Street from 1st Avenue to 5th Avenue
• 57th Street from 2nd Avenue to 5th Avenue
• 2nd Avenue from 41st Street to 57th Street
The following streets in the vicinity of the United Nations are closed to traffic:
• 1st Avenue from 42nd Street to 48th Street. The tunnel underpass from 41st Street to 48th Street will remain open for passenger cars. Trucks and other large vehicles will not have access until the end of each day’s session.
• 44th Street from 1st Avenue to 2nd Avenue
• 45th Street from 1st Avenue to 2nd Avenue
• 46th Street from 1st Avenue to 2nd Avenue
The following streets are closed to traffic starting at about 5:00 a.m.:
• 42nd Street from the FDR Drive to 2nd Avenue
• 42nd Street Exit and Entrance Ramps of the FDR Drive
These areas will reopen each evening after the day’s session.
