Security Tight As Voters Head To The Polls On Election Day
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Security is tight is across New York City as voters head to the polls Tuesday.
More than 5,000 officers are assigned to Election Day duties. Both uniformed and plainclothes officers will be at polling places throughout the city, subways and other crowded areas like Times Square.
"You're going to see a lot of police. You're going to see a lot of uniforms. You're going to see a lot of marked cars," Police Commissioner James O'Neill said Monday. "There's going to be a lot of police in New York City and some of it you won't see."
The contingent also includes counterterrorism officers and heavy weapon units trained to quickly respond to terror threats.
U.S. intelligence alerted Joint Terrorism Task Forces last week of possible terror threats from al-Qeada in New York, Texas or Virginia. The threats were vague and no specific targets were provided.
"Know that you are safe and well-protected," Mayor Bill de Blasio said Monday. "We have beefed up our ability to handle multiple sites simultaneously."
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Police are also securing the election night headquarters of Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, who will both be in Manhattan Tuesday night.
Clinton will be at the Jacob Javits Center while Trump will be at New York Hilton Midtown. The Secret Service will also be watching over the candidates' headquarters. Streets around those sites will also be closed.
A team of counter terrorism officers has also been on duty at Trump Tower.
Authorities said there will also be street closures, frozen zones and traffic delays.
"There is going to be tremendous impact on traffic in New York City tomorrow," O'Neill said. "If you don't need to drive, I suggest taking public transportation."
In New York City, the following street closures will be in effect:
- West 34th Street between the West Side Highway - 11th Avenue
- 11th Avenue from 34th Street-West 40th Streeet
- West 53rd Street from 6th-7th Avenue
- West 54th Street from 6th-7th Avenue
- West 55th Street from 5th-6th Avenue
- Truck restrictions on 5th Avenue from 54th-59th Streets
- Truck restrictions on 57th Street from Madison to 6th Avenue
- Truck restrictions on 6th Avenue from 42nd-54th Streets
To check current traffic conditions, click here.
Tightened security measures are also in place elsewhere in the area. In Westchester County, high flower-filled concrete planters blocked the entrance to Clinton's street in Chappaqua.
On Long Island, police in both Nassau and Suffolk counties were on heightened alert.
"There is a lot of emotion in this election, so we want to make sure we have an enhanced presence," said Suffolk County police Commissioner Timothy Sini.
Voters can also expect stepped up security at polling places in New Jersey. The state's office of emergency management is monitoring for any issues affecting election operations.
