Security the watchword in US
2004-01-01 09:55
New York - Nearly a million revellers jammed Times Square to ring in 2004 with the dropping of the traditional New Year's Eve ball - a joyous, confetti-filled bash under some of the most intense security in United States history.
With snipers posted on rooftops and helicopters patrolling overhead, mayor Michael Bloomberg and a former Iraqi prisoner of war, Shoshana Johnson, pressed a small globe, sending the 480kg crystal ball on a 60-second drop that culminated at the stroke of midnight.
"It was brilliant," said Tanya Starkin, a 23-year-old waitress from Ireland, as fireworks lighted up the sky.
"Everyone was so worried about everything, and now everything is good."
The raising of the national terrorism alert to orange, its second-highest level, prompted cities across the country to step up police patrols, plan aerial surveillance and install equipment to detect chemical, biological or radiological contamination.
Metal detectors were brought in, manhole covers were sealed, and mailboxes, rubbish bins and newspaper boxes were removed.
Police had seven helicopters to patrol above the New York crowd, including one with communications equipment and crowd-scanning cameras.
The department of homeland security sent fighter jets over New York for the night.
In Baltimore, mayor Martin O'Malley led the countdown to midnight at the Inner Harbour, which was followed by 20 minutes of music and fireworks.
In Boston, fireworks exploded above the harbour and revellers tooted plastic horns on the Common throughout the night.
In New York, police said more officers were on duty this year than last, although they declined to give numbers.
Last year, the department said it deployed 2 000 officers in Times Square alone.
"We know that New York remains at the top of the terrorists' target list and we have to remain vigilant," said police commissioner Ray Kelly said.
Police said there were no reports of crowd trouble.
In Las Vegas, the Federal Bureau of Investigation checked hotel and airline records against terrorist watch lists in advance of a New Year's Eve celebration expected to draw 300 000 people.
Las Vegas police said sharpshooters would be posted on hotel-casino roofs, concrete barricades would close off certain routes and backpacks and bags would be searched.
Officials previously cancelled a street party in downtown Los Angeles, citing security concerns.
In New Orleans, 40 000 to 50 000 people were expected to watch the lowering of a giant, grinning papier mache baby in the French Quarter at midnight.
- AP