1 million revelers in Times Square greet 2015
Fireworks explode overhead as revelers celebrate New Year's Eve in Times Square on Dec. 31, 2014. Credit: Newsday / Thomas A. Ferrara
About 1 million visitors packed Times Square Wednesday night jamming streets for 14 blocks to Central Park to watch the ball drop and welcome in the new year.
Bracing frigid temperatures and tight security, revelers stood under the lights and counted down to midnight -- and 2015.
As temperatures continued to drop, David Santana, 49, and his family from Los Angeles maintained a healthy, positive attitude. The family staked out their front-row spot facing the crystal ball atop Times Square at 9 a.m.
"This is a once-in-a-lifetime [experience] and we haven't eaten, drank anything since this morning. That's the trick," Santana said.
His wife, Selva Solano, 49, said despite wearing three layers of clothing and two pairs of socks, they were still cold. Their daughter Christina Lopez, 25, said it was her dream to be in Times Square for New Year's Eve.
"We're freezing," Solano said. "That's how determined we are to be here. You only live once."
Police officials said planning for New Year's Eve was a yearlong endeavor. Setup Wednesday began at 4 a.m. with the first visitors arriving at 8 a.m. By evening, all of the designated pens for visitors were filled up to West 50th Street.
Thousands hoped to get a glimpse of the main performance stage and their favorite celebrities, including Taylor Swift and Jenny McCarthy.
The NYPD and FBI designated special units to patrol the event. "We do have thousands of cops. Times Square is going to be a very safe place to be tonight," NYPD Chief of Department James P. O'Neill said Wednesday evening.
Police received no specific threats to Times Square, but counterterrorism officers scanned the area for any suspicious activity or threats, Police Commissioner William Bratton said Wednesday evening.
NYPD officers also readied for ongoing protests, which began Dec. 3 after a Staten Island grand jury failed to indict the officer who apparently used a banned chokehold on Eric Garner, who died.
Around 11 p.m., 150 protesters marched from Herald Square heading north to Times Square but never made it. Police on foot and motorcycles confined them to the sidewalk.
With Maria Alvarez
and Dan Rivoli
John Asbury is a breaking news and general assignment reporter. He has been with Newsday since 2014 and previously worked at The Press-Enterprise in Riverside, California.
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Newsday Live Music Series: Long Island Idols Newsday Live presents a special evening of music and conversation with local singers who grabbed the national spotlight on shows like "The Voice," "America's Got Talent,""The X-Factor" and "American Idol." Newsday Senior Lifestyle Host Elisa DiStefano leads a discussion and audience Q&A as the singers discuss their TV experiences, careers and perform original songs.
