New York City officials announced expanded security measures ahead of Friday’s 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks and the start of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. The NYPD, U.S. Secret Service, and federal partners will conduct a large-scale security operation in Lower Manhattan and at Jewish institutions across the five boroughs.
Traffic restrictions will begin at 6 a.m. Friday, with no vehicular access permitted south of Canal Street to Battery Place, between Broadway and West Street. Broadway will remain open to southbound traffic, but trucks will be prohibited. The Hugh L. Carey Tunnel will remain accessible for southbound exits.
The National September 11 Memorial & Museum ceremony is not open to the general public, though dignitaries, family members of 9/11 victims, former presidents, and other invited guests are expected to attend. Vice President JD Vance is among the officials slated to participate.
NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch stated that while there are no specific or credible threats at this time, the city is taking additional precautions due to the significance of the 9/11 anniversary and ongoing concerns about antisemitic threats. Mayor Zohran Mamdani emphasized the administration’s commitment to ensuring the safety of Jewish New Yorkers during the High Holy Days.
The security operation will include uniformed officers, counterterrorism personnel, heavy weapons teams, and counter-drone units. Some security measures will be highly visible, while others will operate without public awareness.
Mamdani addressed Jewish New Yorkers directly, stating, “Your safety during these sacred days is of the utmost importance to our administration. We will work tirelessly to ensure you can observe the holiday securely.” Tisch added that hate crimes, particularly antisemitic incidents, have risen in recent years, with confirmed hate crimes up 16% citywide and antisemitic hate crimes up 9% through the first eight months of the year. Jews make up less than 1% of New York City’s population but account for more than half of all confirmed hate crimes.
The NYPD will increase patrols outside synagogues and Jewish cultural locations across the five boroughs as part of the security plan.