UPPER WEST SIDE — A major NYPD presence featuring heavily armed officers from the department’s elite units will monitor the marathon route on Sunday.
“These officers and others will be able to respond in a moment’s notice to any incident or threat that might come up,” NYPD Commissioner James O’Neill said Wednesday.
More than 50,000 runners will take their mark at this year’s race. A crowd of more than 2 million spectators is expected, officials said.
The New York City Marathon has been more heavily policed since the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing, which left three people dead and more than 250 injured.
O’Neill said the department ran through counterterrorism drills Tuesday in preparation. He urged New Yorkers to keep their eyes peeled on race day.
“If anyone sees something that doesn’t look right, doesn’t feel right, let one of our officers know about it or call 911. That’s what we’re here for,” the commissioner said.
Police boats will patrol the rivers and NYPD choppers will lookout from above for any suspicious activity, officials said.
“We’re ready,” O’Neill said. “We’re going to have one of the most well-policed, best-protected events anywhere in the nation.”
