DOWNTOWN BROOKLYN, New York (WABC) — Security preparations are intensifying ahead of the United Nations General Assembly, with the U.S. Secret Service coordinating with multiple agencies as world leaders begin arriving in New York.<\/p>\n
Every world leader attending the annual gathering will have a security detail, a responsibility the Secret Service says it takes seriously.<\/p>\n
“And anybody that thinks they’re going to disrupt one of our motorcades is going to find themselves in jail very quickly,” said Matt McCool, special agent in charge of the New York Field Office.<\/p>\n
The operation is centered on a Multi-Agency Coordination Center in Downtown Brooklyn, which will soon be staffed by Secret Service personnel and representatives from 20 partner agencies, including U.N. security, the Department of War, and President Donald Trump’s security detail.<\/p>\n
Officials say this year’s event presents a heightened threat environment, in part because Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to attend the General Assembly between next Wednesday and Friday, and protests are anticipated.<\/p>\n
“Regardless of what’s going on in the world, there are wars, there are disagreements, there are political divisiveness. Countries and leaders can come here and have a safe and secure environment,” McCool said.<\/p>\n
Officials also cited challenges related to artificial intelligence and drone technology. The Secret Service plans to use its own drones to monitor airspace during the event.<\/p>\n
Transportation planning remains a major component of the operation. Hundreds of vehicles are brought in for motorcades, and officials say years of planning go into navigating New York City’s streets during the assembly.<\/p>\n
“The U.N. is our biggest event most years, and that’s every time a foreign dignitary comes in… a foreign leader comes in. It is our mission to, to give them 24-hour protection, getting in the way where they need to go safely, and then, getting them back to where they’re getting home safely,” said Special Agent Danny Edwards, the U.N. transportation supervisor.<\/p>\n
Security operations are already underway, but officials said the bulk of the Secret Service mission begins Sunday morning.<\/p>\n
New Yorkers can expect to see more motorcades moving across the city beginning Monday, along with road closures.<\/p>\n
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