Inside the New York City Police Department Joint Operations Center
The New York Police Department gave Fox News' CB Cotton an exclusive tour last week of the Joint Operations Center where federal agencies, along with NYPD officials, ensure the safety of more than 130 world leaders attending the United Nations General Assembly.
Last week, New Yorkers braced for traffic jams and headaches around Midtown Manhattan as the climax week of the United Nations General Assembly began. Meanwhile, members of the New York City Police Department were busy providing security for the event as more than 130 dignitaries from around the world came and went.
“This is a large-scale operation, a large-scale undertaking,” said NYPD Deputy Commissioner of Public Affairs Tariq Shepard. “We have a lot of police officers and detectives assigned to us. And after it's over, I'm just proud to have been a part of it because it's one of the biggest world events we host. Because it is one.”
Shepard gave Fox News an exclusive look behind the scenes at the NYPD's Joint Operations Center. There, police officers monitor several camera systems around the city and send officers to the ground if an emergency response is needed.
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The New York Police Department gave Fox News exclusive access to the joint operations center where federal agencies are working with NYPD officials to ensure the safety of more than 130 world leaders attending the United Nations General Assembly. (Fox News/CB Cotton)
Last week, NYPD officials at the center were joined by members of the Secret Service, FBI, Department of Homeland Security and the White House military branch.
“That’s why we’re partnering and working together… in case something happens. [so] Messages can be communicated simultaneously,” Shepard said.
In addition to ensuring the safe arrival and departure of diplomats and U.S. leaders, the Joint Operations Center carefully monitored the protests to avoid further disruption to civilian commutes already disrupted by the U.N. rally. I was watching.
New York City Police Department officers stand guard during a rally in the Gaza Strip at the Israeli Consulate General in New York City on October 9, 2023. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
“What we have to fight for is awareness of what is happening outside. [protesters] “They're filming videos saying, 'No, we're very peaceful,'” Shepard said, adding, “They sometimes engage in criminal mischief, vandalism of property, things that ordinary citizens do. They haven't shown any signs of road closures or anything like that.” Being an hour late coming home or picking up your child can be a huge inconvenience to your family and can cause serious problems. ”
New York City police officers stop activists from protesting outside the New York Fed in New York City's Financial District on September 18, 2023. (Reuters/Bing Guan/File Photo)
Since the start of the Israel-Hamas war, the NYPD has monitored more than 4,000 protests, according to NYPD Sergeant John Chell, who said at a press conference earlier this month that the department's efforts to ensure the security of the United Nations We shared some of our strategies.
The Gaza conflict broke out last week at the United Nations. Protesters gathered nearby in an unsuccessful attempt to disrupt the rally as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanayahu and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas began their speeches.
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“The important thing is to remember to respect people's First Amendment rights, but we're not going to allow crimes to be committed,” Sheppard said.
