(New York, N.Y.) – Today, Law Enforcement and Public Safety Agencies announce the Security Restrictions for the 2015 Papal Visit to New York, N.Y.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has designated the 2015 Papal Visit to New York, N.Y. as a National Special Security Event (NSSE). When an event is designated as an NSSE, the U.S. Secret Service assumes its role as the lead federal agency for the design and implementation of the operational security plan. The New York City Police Department, New York City Emergency Management, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the U.S. Coast Guard, as well as a number of other local, state and federal agencies, will play a critical operational role in securing these events.
This plan provides the general outlines for security screenings, airspace restrictions, maritime restrictions, and prohibited items at Papal events. Additional information is available online for residents of New York through the social media accounts listed at the end of this release. Additions
may be made prior to the start of events and will be updated on these accounts and associated websites. The New York City Police Department will issue specific traffic information for Papal events and the U.N. General Assembly.
Security Screenings: All attendees, including general public and ticketed guests, will be subject to a thorough security screening before entering the Papal motorcade route or designated Papal events. Please allow for additional time for these security screenings, as it is expected that lines may be long.
General Prohibited Items: As a security precaution, the following items will be prohibited from entry into Papal events in New York City:
Aerosols
Ammunition
Animals other than service/guide dogs
Backpacks exceeding size restrictions
Signs exceeding size restrictions
Signs cannot be made of anything except cardboard, poster board or cloth
Balloons
Bicycles
Hard sided coolers (soft side thermal coolers are allowed)
Drones and other unmanned aircraft systems
Explosives
Firearms
Glass, thermal, or metal containers
Laser pointers
Mace/pepper spray
Packages
Selfie sticks
Structures
Supports for signs and placards
Toy guns
Umbrellas
Weapons of any kind
Any other item deemed to be a potential hazard
Surrendered items will not be returned, or available for pick-up.
Thursday, September 24, 2015:
Papal Motorcade - 5th Avenue Viewing Entry Points: Viewing the Papal Motorcade on 5th Avenue requires tickets. Guests should refer to their tickets for the opening times at the security screening entry points.
Security entry point locations:
- 54th Street: West side entering from 6th Avenue and East side entering from Madison Avenue
- 52nd Street: West side entering from 6th Avenue and East side entering from Madison Avenue (ADA specific lane on East and West side.)
- 50th Street: West side entering from 6th Avenue only.
- 49th Street: West side entering from 6th Avenue and East side entering from Madison Avenue (ADA specific lane on West Side.)
Friday, September 25, 2015:
Papal Motorcade - Central Park Viewing Entry Points: Viewing the Papal Motorcade in Central Park requires tickets. Guests should refer to their tickets for the opening times at the security screening entry points.
Security entry point locations:
- 72nd Street at Columbus Avenue moving toward Central Park West
- 69th Street at Columbus Avenue moving toward Central Park West
- 66th Street at Columbus Avenue moving toward Central Park West (ADA use only)
- 61st, 62nd and 63rd Streets from Broadway moving toward Central Park West
Air Security: An interagency airspace security plan will be implemented to provide secure airspace over the New York City metropolitan area. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) advisory listing enhanced restrictions was released on September 4th, 2015. The enhanced airspace restrictions can be accessed online at the Federal Aviation Administration web page at www.faa.gov. Pilot inquiries should be directed to 202-267-8276.
The Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) discussed in the September advisory may change with little or no notice. Pilots are advised to check NOTAMs frequently for possible changes prior to operations in the New York City area. Pilots are strongly advised to contact a Flight Service Station at 1-800-992-7433 prior to flight to check for all current NOTAMs.
Unmanned aircraft systems, drones and radio-control model aircraft are subject to FAA flight restrictions and are prohibited from operating anywhere within the five boroughs of New York City from September 24th, 2015 through September 30th, 2015. Beginning on October 1st, 2015, drone operations will be allowed at the following two locations: Brooklyn (Floyd Bennett airfield ) and the Bronx (Van Cortland Park). Please consult www.faa.gov for further information. Failure to comply with FAA flight restrictions may result in civil and/or criminal penalties, including possible arrest. To report drone flights during the United Nations General Assembly and Papal Visit, please contact authorities at 718-840-2930.
Water Security: There will be an enhanced security presence on the waterways around New York, N.Y. Inquiries should be directed to the U.S. Coast Guard at 718-354-4353.
Social Media: Information will be available prior to and during the Papal Visit on social media sites such as Twitter. Some of the Twitter sites being used to communicate information from the public safety and security partners include:
NYPD - @NYPDnews
FEMA - @femaregion2
NYCEM - @NotifyNYC
FDNY - @FDNY
FAA - #NoDroneZone
FBI New York - @NewYorkFBI
City of New York - @nycgov
Secret Service - @SecretService
U.S. Department of Homeland Security - @DHSgov
Amtrak - @Amtrak