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American Morning
New York Prepares For New Year
Aired December 31, 2002 - 09:32 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, New York City is gearing up for New Year's Eve, and security here is going to be as tight as ever. Maria Hinojosa is standing by now live in times square. She has got more on the precautions that have been underway for hours there -- hello, Maria.
MARIA HINOJOSA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hey, Leon. Well, you know, it is interesting, because, yes, this city has been preparing for the biggest party of the year, but even so, there are some things that have not been taken care of, and a lot of people have been looking, for example, at this particular garbage can -- well, it is not really a can. It's made out of cement. But this should have been removed. We have heard that it is going to be removed within the next half an hour. But still, it's something that someone could be worried about that.
Also we were told that all of the mailboxes were going to be taken away. Not necessarily. Here is one. Now you can't get in it, that is for sure. It has been locked. It seems they have stuck something up so that you can't use it, but in terms of it being taken away, that's not the case. Those are some concerns for people who are particularly security conscious about particulars. Well, there are still things that are being worked on.
Now, in terms of the party, what you're going to have is people will be walking over into this area here, and they will be closed up by these barricades. Once you get into this area of the sidewalk, this is not a free-flowing party at all. This is a very controlled situation. You get behind those barricades in this area to watch the festivities, and you're not going to be able to move. So be prepared for staying lots of hours without being able to come in and out.
In terms of the larger area of Times Square, what we have heard is that, yes, there's going to be an increased presence of security. We're not being told the numbers. The mayor has said that it's a delicate balance between security and freedom, and being free to party in the way that you want. But even the mayor, for example, is going to be having dinner here in Times Square. He's going to be seeing a show, but he would not say which show he's going to be seeing, or where he's going to be eating.
Also, people can come in and out of restaurants. Those people won't be searched. But if you're coming into the pen areas, expect to be searched for sure -- Leon.
HARRIS: All right. And folks, make sure you're there plenty of time in advance, meaning hours. Thanks, Maria. Maria Hinojosa reporting live from Times Square.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired December 31, 2002 - 09:32 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
LEON HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: Now, New York City is gearing up for New Year's Eve, and security here is going to be as tight as ever. Maria Hinojosa is standing by now live in times square. She has got more on the precautions that have been underway for hours there -- hello, Maria.
MARIA HINOJOSA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hey, Leon. Well, you know, it is interesting, because, yes, this city has been preparing for the biggest party of the year, but even so, there are some things that have not been taken care of, and a lot of people have been looking, for example, at this particular garbage can -- well, it is not really a can. It's made out of cement. But this should have been removed. We have heard that it is going to be removed within the next half an hour. But still, it's something that someone could be worried about that.
Also we were told that all of the mailboxes were going to be taken away. Not necessarily. Here is one. Now you can't get in it, that is for sure. It has been locked. It seems they have stuck something up so that you can't use it, but in terms of it being taken away, that's not the case. Those are some concerns for people who are particularly security conscious about particulars. Well, there are still things that are being worked on.
Now, in terms of the party, what you're going to have is people will be walking over into this area here, and they will be closed up by these barricades. Once you get into this area of the sidewalk, this is not a free-flowing party at all. This is a very controlled situation. You get behind those barricades in this area to watch the festivities, and you're not going to be able to move. So be prepared for staying lots of hours without being able to come in and out.
In terms of the larger area of Times Square, what we have heard is that, yes, there's going to be an increased presence of security. We're not being told the numbers. The mayor has said that it's a delicate balance between security and freedom, and being free to party in the way that you want. But even the mayor, for example, is going to be having dinner here in Times Square. He's going to be seeing a show, but he would not say which show he's going to be seeing, or where he's going to be eating.
Also, people can come in and out of restaurants. Those people won't be searched. But if you're coming into the pen areas, expect to be searched for sure -- Leon.
HARRIS: All right. And folks, make sure you're there plenty of time in advance, meaning hours. Thanks, Maria. Maria Hinojosa reporting live from Times Square.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
