This was New Year's Eve in the age of COVID-19.
Crowd control gave way to crowd prevention, as police closed the Crossroads of the World to vehicles and onlookers hoping to catch a glimpse of the glittering, crystal ball that will still descend down a flagpole to mark the stroke of midnight. Would-be partygoers were urged to watch the ball drop on television.
Still, throngs of tourists crowded around the police perimeter, which took on the feel of a tailgate as midnight neared. Many said they wanted to end a challenging year on their own terms — and groused that they couldn’t get closer to the storied ball.