Garbage trucks will help protect NY for New Year’s Eve

Times Square is packed with thousands of people on New Year’s Eve, the temperature is often below freezing, and finding a bathroom is notoriously hard. He says just being in the crowd was getting him excited.

On January 1, 1905, the New York Times ran a front page story about a “big new year fete” that had taken place the night before in Times Square.

The first time ball built in the US was erected in 1845 atop the United States Naval Observatory in Washington, D.C. Years later, the Boston Time-Ball went into operation in 1878, and others were showcased in other USA cities.

About 65 sand and sanitation trucks will be placed in “strategic locations” around Times Square, where more than a million people are expected to attend the traditional New Year’s Eve ball drop, NY police Chief of Department Carlos Gomez told a news conference.

Given the crowds that are expected to turn out in Times Square, and the chilly weather that will descend on the region, watching the Times Square ball drop online isn’t a bad way to go.

Onlookers donning oversized 2017 eyeglasses and green Statue of Liberty hats were screened by police Saturday afternoon ahead of the midnight bash. They are not allowed to bring large containers, large bags, umbrellas, coolers or backpacks into Times Square. The original ball was used every year up until 1920, when a new one replaced it. The 2,688 Waterford Crystal triangles are bolted to 672 LED modules which are attached to the aluminum frame of the Ball. He will be joined this year by outgoing United Nations chief Ban Ki-moon. Numerous restaurants will be offering specials for the event and reservations are encouraged.

“Each year, I look forward to sharing the anticipation and excitement for the upcoming year with the millions of people who celebrate with us from around the world”, Jeffrey Straus, president of Countdown Entertainment, said in a news release.

The bulletin cited the recent terror attacks in San Bernardino, Orlando and Nice.

Beyond Times Square, some of the sanitation trucks will be stationed near a planned fireworks display in Central Park.

About 7,000 police officers will be there, too.