molly: police on high alert at times square as thousands flock to the crossroads of the world to celebrate the ball drop and ring in the new year. times square open to full capacity for the first time since the covid pandemic. alexis mcadams live in the middle of it all. reporter: happy new year. people are flocking to times square because there are no restrictions. they are excited and ready, a lot of fun expected but security remains top of mind. a full deployment in its place of detection canine teams, heavy weapons teams, drone detection and interdiction teams, radiation detection teams will have the bomb squad present. we expect hundred of
heavy weapons teams, explosive detection canines, our bomb squad, radiological and chemical sensors, counter surveillance teams, drone detection and mitigation, sand trucks and blocker vehicles, and additional cameras have been installed along the parade route. and let s talk about the numbers. the macy s thanksgiving day parade brings 8,000 participants, 5,000 volunteers, 16 character balloons, 40 novelty balloons, 28 floats, 12,000 cheerleaders, 12 marching bands, the radio city rockettes, and new balloons and fluids including the popular animated dog and baby shark on the flip. this also includes a new balloon of striker, and the police commissioner adding they not only have the officers you see but of course the ones you don t in the crowd come in the air, on tops of the buildings. they are looking for a good day in new york with great weather