NYPD drones, dogs, horses and helicopters will join throngs of spectators to keep a close eye on this year’s New York City Marathon, according to Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch.
While Tisch said there are “no known specific credible threats” to this year’s race, security across the city on marathon day is historically tight. Thousands of officers will be posted along the route, joined by specialized units on land, in the harbor and in the air. Strategically placed blocker vehicles will restrict access to busy areas, while intelligence teams will monitor live-feed cameras throughout the five boroughs, Tisch added.
“As always, there will be assets you will see and assets you will not see,” Tisch said.
The 50th New York City Marathon will begin, as always, with waves of runners crossing the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge from Staten Island to Brooklyn. The 26.2-mile course weaves through Sunset Park, Park Slope and Williamsburg before crossing the Queensboro Bridge into Manhattan, where it takes runners along the Upper East Side. The course briefly crosses into the South Bronx, then returns to bring runners to the finish line in Central Park.
Anyone planning to watch runners by the finish line should prepare for increased security measures. Tisch said police will search bags, but items like coolers, umbrellas, chairs and large backpacks are prohibited.
Tisch also said unauthorized drones are prohibited on marathon day, and the NYPD’s drone mitigation teams will be deployed throughout the day to identify and address any illegal drone activity.
City residents and visitors are encouraged to use public transportation on Sunday, as rolling closures along streets and bridges will cause heavy traffic.
The Verrazzano Bridge’s upper level will close at 11 p.m. Saturday, and the lower level will shut down at 7 a.m. Sunday. The Queensboro Bridge will close at 6:30 a.m. Sunday. And the Pulaski Bridge will close at 7:15 a.m. Sunday. The Willis and Madison Avenue bridges will close at 7:30 a.m., Tisch said. All bridges will reopen once the last runners have passed through.
More than 60,000 runners will take to the streets on Sunday, including more than 29,000 New York residents and about 18,600 first-time marathoners, according to New York Road Runners.
About 2.5 million spectators are expected to descend on the city from all over the world, officials said.
Beyond the NYPD’s efforts, Tisch said spectators can provide valuable eyes and ears to help ensure a safe day.
“We ask everyone to stay alert; if you see something, please say something,” she said.