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American Morning
Security Measures For Times Square
Aired December 31, 2001 - 08:11 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
LEON HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: Now, stateside, to New York, where people are prepping up to say so long to 2001 and hello to 2002. But, as the events of this year remain etched in so many minds, tonight's celebration is going to be a bit unlike those in the years past.
CNN's Jason Carroll is in the crossroads of the world right now. He's got more on merging the old into the new from Times Square. Good morning, Jason.
JASON CARROLL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: And good morning again to you, Leon. You know, New York City is a city that's known for its night life. The biggest party in the world, some would say, is going to take place right here in Times Square. Some half a million people are expected to flood the streets right out here. A number of security measures are in place. Some of them we can show you right now.
For instance, all the manholes in the area, like this one that you see right here, are covered with rubber cement, that way they cannot be opened for any reason. In addition to that, all the light posts -- this is the bottom of one -- have been welded shut. In addition to that, all the mailboxes in the area, all the trash cans, have been removed. Again, just as a precautionary measure.
Lots of security measures are going to be in place. Security cameras will be here. Some 7,000 police officers will be in place. Anyone coming into Times Square to watch the ball drop will have to pass through a checkpoint. No backpacks, no large bags, no umbrellas. Even though a lot of folks out here will be focused on security, this is, again, a celebration. A lot of people coming out here to see that ball drop from Times Square.
I want to give you a few facts about the ball. It is encrusted with crystal. It weighs some 1,070 pounds. It's six feet in diameter and it's engraved with the names of some of the victims from September 11. The design of the crystal ball is called "Hope For Healing." They ran a test of it yesterday; everything went according to plan.
Also, today, out here, at about six o'clock as the ball is being hoisted up, the bells all across the city will ring. That will be to commemorate those who lost their lives during September 11. The last time that happened was during World War II. At nine o'clock, the organizers of this event will be handing out red, white and blue balloons and pom-poms. They'll also be handing out flags to all the people who are showing up. It's definitely going to have somewhat of a patriotic flavor out here, Leon.
Also, in addition to after the ball is being dropped, immediately following that, the outgoing mayor, Rudy Giuliani, will then officially swear in the incoming mayor, Michael Bloomberg. So that should be somewhat of an event out here as well. A lot of things happening out here; a lot of folks hoping to have a great time ringing in the new year -- Leon.
HARRIS: Well, Jason, let me ask you this real quickly. The people you're talking to there, do they -- they get a sense that perhaps we'll see something of a record-sized crowd there because of the idea that people want to come together in times like this and show some solidarity as well as celebrate it?
CARROLL: I think so, Leon. On my way up here, in fact, I was talking to the cab driver and I told him I was going to Times Square, and he said, "You're going a little early." And I said, "No, I'm actually going to cover the story." And he said, "I want to go there too. I want to bring my family out as well." And I think that's probably how a lot of people feel in the city. A lot of people ready to celebrate. There's been so much sadness in the city, people are really ready to sort of come together, be patriotic and ring in the new year -- Leon.
HARRIS: I'll tell you, one way to make some money there, Jason, is to sell red, white and blue blankets tonight. It's going to be awfully chilly up there.
CARROLL: Absolutely, yeah.
HARRIS: All right. You take care, buddy. Stay warm.
CARROLL: All right.
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