coast to the other, as you mentioned, are beefing up security in an abundance of caution in the wake of the attacks in paris. homeland security secretary jay johnson said, at this time, we know no specific credible threats on the u.s. homeland of the type that occurred in paris. moments ago, the nfl did announce it is going to increase security at this week s games. and here in new york, the police department has deployed counterterrorism teams to crowded areas of the city. there is also heightened security at potential targets including bridges, subways and mass transit. a high profile of the french consulate linked to the french government and police liaison is in paris assisting french officials and gathering intel helpful in preventing an attack here. officials say there is no connection to new york city. bill de blasio said new york is the number one terrorist target, but stressed police are prepared for the worst.
crowds, drinking and in some places firing bullets into the air can be a toxic brew. and then the year about terrorists. police departments say they re ready. here s abc s john ehrlichman. reporter: the countdown to 2015 is under way with traditions like times square confetti drop and trial runs of the famous crystal ball tested and ready to go. with each new year comes a new set of concerns. in light of recent protests, crime, terrorism and bitter cold weather, communities are being proactive. at the crossroads of the world, new york s police department saying more than a million people celebrating will be in the safest place in new york city. in addition to officers assigned to traffic and security posts, we will have bomb detecting canines, heavily armed counterterrorism teams at many locations. reporter: in the event there are demonstrations, much like the ones in recent weeks when
symptoms they can be very helpful. you want to call your doctor if that happens. do you think science is keeping up with how quickly the virus seems to be changing and? i mean who is winning, the science or the viruses? well you know i ll tell you every year sometimes it s a little bit different. as scientists they make their best guesses for figuring out which strains are going to be predominant for the next season. and there s a lot of science and math and brains that go behind trying to make that prediction. but the truth of the matter is that sometimes we get it right and sometimes it s off a little bit. that s why all this prevention is very helpful. and still, yes, get the flu shot. that s very important. dr. jennifer kaudle. good advice. we want to get to poppy harlow for the day s other top stories. new york city about to ring in 2015 with a huge party. but it will happen under intense security. heavily-armed counterterrorism teams, bomb-sniffing dogs
and italian to offer a hymn of thanksgiving for the past year. it s been quite a year for this pope. from his trip to the middle east in march to his role brokering a deal to normalize relations between the u.s. and cuba. we are less than 13 hours from the start of 2015 on the east coast in the u.s. and, of course, that means the iconic ball drop in new york s times square. revellers have started to stake out their spots and the nypd is gearing up for a busy night of its own with counterterrorism teams, bomb-sniffing dogs helicopters all pressed into objection to keep as many as a million partiers safe. there will be hundreds of cameras, some of which are displayed on the screen in our joint operations center and monitored live via the nypd s doe maybe awareness system. reporter: layering on a new concern this year police are monitoring social media and keeping an eye out for protests that may arise following weeks of demonstration december manning an end to police
this morning on world news now new developments in the this morning on world news now, new developments in the crash of airasia flight 8501. from the wreckage in the city to the heartbreak for victims families. the mysterious crash and the clues revealed overnight. security fears on new year s eve from protests to gunfire and even terrorism. we ll have bomb detecting canines, heavily armed counterterrorism teams at many locations. what police and even gun shops are doing to make the holiday safe. later, party in style. the best food and drink for your new year s eve celebration courtesy of our favorite chief entertainment officer. it s wednesday, new year s eve, december 31st. announcer: from abc news, this is world news now.