Bratton Says Don't Be Afraid, Come To The Parade
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Normally, on a warm and sunny day as many as 3.5 million would attend the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, but concerns over terrorism may keep some people away this year.
Police Commissioner Bill Bratton is aware that some families may be having second thoughts of attending in the wake of the recent terror attacks in France and Mali, but he said, "Don't be afraid, be aware."
"People should have no fear, what we would ask though is awareness," Bratton said. "It's part of the new world we live in."
Bratton said there are no credible threats and he will be at the parade.
"I'm going to be there. I'm going to enjoy it. I'm going to look forward to it. And I would encourage people to come down and enjoy it," Bratton said.
There will be more police protecting the parade route from Central Park West to Herald Square than ever before, 1010 WINS' Steve Kastenbaum reported.
Chief of Department James O'Neill said that in addition to more uniformed officers "we'll have plainclothes cops work amid the crowds, specially trained dogs will sniff for traces of explosives in the air, while officers assigned to the NYPD's Counterterrorism Bureau will use radiation detectors for any evidence of a dirty bomb."
About 200 freshly trained, heavily armed critical response officers will also be along the route.
"There will be a lot of police presence -- things the public will see, and of course things the public will not see," O'Neill said.
The NYPD has been working on its counterterrorism strategy with detectives and investigators abroad who work with Interpol on a regular basis and share critical information, WCBS 880's Kelly Waldron reported.
The department has a French-speaking detective in Paris and investigators in other relevant countries, according to Deputy Commissioner of Intelligence John Miller. He said it's not just about having people abroad, but "it's about exploiting the network of liaison relationships."
The recent attacks in Paris only validated that work, according to Bratton.
While handing out turkey and food in Harlem, Cardinal Timothy Dolan said Tuesday he feels safe in the city and he's urging New Yorkers not to give in to fears of terrorism.
PHOTOS: Cardinal Dolan Distributes Thanksgiving Dinners
"People are uncomfortable, they're kind of scared, but they know that God says over and over again in the Bible, 'Be not afraid,'" Dolan told 1010 WINS' Mona Rivera. "They know that fear is useless. What is needed is trust."
