The New York City Police Department is taking no chances with the Celebrate Israel Parade on Sunday in light of tensions overseas.
Police say there are no specific threats against the parade that starts at 11 a.m. from 57th Street and proceeds up Fifth Avenue. But security will be tight, including more than 1,000 officers, bomb-sniffing dogs, sharpshooters on rooftops and radiation detection devices. Sanitation trucks filled with sand will block streets to prevent vehicle attacks.
NYPD Chief of Patrol Rodney Harrison says the precautions are in response to threats of terrorism in Israel, the Middle East and around the world. Police also are bracing for anti-Israel demonstrations.
The parade marks the 70th anniversary of the founding of Israel.
These streets will be closed from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.:
Formation:
- 51st Street between 6th Avenue and 5th Avenue
- 52nd Street between Park Avenue and 6th Avenue
- 53rd Street between Park Avenue and 6th Avenue
- 54th Street between Park Avenue and 7th Avenue
- 55th Street between Park Avenue and 6th Avenue
- 56th Street between Park Avenue and 7th Avenue
- 5th Avenue between 51st Street and 52nd Street
Route:
- 5th Avenue between 52nd Street and 74th Street
Dispersal:
- 5th Avenue between 74th Street and 79th Street
- 74th Street between 5th Avenue and Madison Avenue
- 75th Street between 5th Avenue and Madison Avenue
- 76th Street between 5th Avenue and Madison Avenue
- 77th Street between 5th Avenue and Madison Avenue
- 78th Street between 5th Avenue and Madison Avenue
Miscellaneous:
- East 73rd Street between Madison Avenue and Lexington Avenue
- East 74th Street between Madison Avenue and Lexington Avenue
- East 75th Street between Madison Avenue and Lexington Avenue
- East 76th Street between Madison Avenue and Lexington Avenue
- East 77th Street between Madison Avenue and Lexington Avenue
- East 78th Street between Madison Avenue and Lexington Avenue
- Madison Avenue (Eastside) between 70th Street and 79th Street
- Lexington Avenue (Westside) between 70th Street and 79th Street
- 69th Street between Madison Avenue and Park Avenue
Closure: At the discretion of NYPD
