NYPD seeks to stop disruptions at U.S. Open
Security at the Billy Jean King Tennis Center as the U.S. Open begins on Monday in Queens. NYPD officials said there are no specific or credible threats. Credit: Newsday/Howard Schnapp
With a watchful eye on global tensions, NYPD officials said Monday that while there are no specific or credible threats directed toward the U.S. Open, no disruptions will be tolerated during the nearly two week tournament.
Deputy commissioner Rebecca Weiner, head of NYPD counterterrorism and intelligence operations, said that the evolving situations in the Mideast and elsewhere have in recent months led to numerous demonstrations.
“We are in a different threat environment then we were last year,” Weiner said during a morning briefing for reporters. “We are mindful of what is going on around the world.”
“We are not going to tolerate disruptions or illegal activities [related] to protests,” Weiner said.
Protests related to the Israel-Hamas war roiled some college campuses earlier this year and thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters marched outside the Democratic National Convention last week in Chicago.
NYPD commissioner Edward Caban said that there is expected to be over one million spectators at the Open and that there will be measures both visible and unseen to provide safety and security.
NYPD officials said that in addition to uniformed officers, there will be bomb-sniffing dogs, long rifle teams and police drones. Police would not provide the exact numbers of cops involved but plainclothes officers will be present to beef up the uniformed presence. Still, Caban said that the public can be helpful and reiterated, “If you see something say something.”
NYPD transit chief Michael Kemper said that with the influx of so many additional subway riders there will be added uniformed and plainclothes transit cops at nearby stations to provided extra security.
No private drones will be allowed over and around the U.S. Open. Officials said that backpacks, cans and bottles, as well as computers won’t be allowed into the tennis facility.
Because of the large crowds anticipated along with heavy vehicle traffic in northern Queens, officials implored the public to use mass transit and the Long Island Rail Road to get to the Open. However, NYPD officials said that extra highway officers will be on duty, along with additional tow trucks to remove any stalled cars on the Grand Central Parkway and related roadways.
Anthony M. DeStefano has been a reporter for Newsday since 1986 and covers law enforcement, criminal justice and legal affairs from its New York City offices.
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