NYPD, Mayor Mamdani reveal security plan ahead of 9/11, Jewish holidays

While New York City remembers 9/11, thousands of Jewish residents will also be heading to synagogues for Rosh Hashanah.

Both events are on Friday, and security is top of mind for New York leaders.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and NYPD Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch unveiled their plan on Wednesday afternoon.

"Our administration and the NYPD have been preparing for months for the security and well-being of every New Yorker on Sept. 11," Mamdani said.

Mamdani encouraged the public not to drive downtown in Manhattan, adding there will be significant street closures near the ceremony. He said there will be heightened security measures, including U.S. Secret Service fencing around the memorial site and other locations. He said the ceremony is not open to the general public and that there will be security screening for those invited.

Tisch characterized the NYPD's deployment on Friday as "massive," adding, "There will be layers of security that are highly visible and others that the public will not see."

She said New Yorkers can expect to see uniformed officers throughout the area, along with members of the Counterterrorism Bureau, including heavy weapons teams and counter-drone teams.

"And because of the security footprint around the site, New Yorkers should expect significant traffic and pedestrian restrictions throughout Lower Manhattan," Tisch said.

The New York City Department of Transportation said to expect the following street closures: 

• Areas bounded by Chambers Street on the North; Morris Street / Edgar Street / Rector Street / Joseph P. Ward Street on the South; Broadway on the East; West Street on the West (All Inclusive)
• Joseph P. Ward Street between West Street and Washington Street
• Washington Street between Rector Street and Joseph P. Ward Street
• Rector Street between Washington Street and Greenwich Street
• Greenwich Street between Rector Street and Brooklyn Battery Tunnel
• Edgar Street between Greenwich Street and Trinity Place
• Trinity Place between Edgar Street and Morris Street

As for the Jewish high holidays, the mayor assured the public that antisemitism in any form will not be tolerated.

"We know for many Jewish New Yorkers there have been moments of immense sadness over this past year. Too many of our neighbors have been the victims of antisemitic hate crimes and too many are understandably afraid to come together and celebrate openly," Mamdani said. "I want to speak directly to our Jewish New Yorkers now. Your safety during these sacred days is of the utmost importance to our administration, and we will work tirelessly to ensure that you can observe the holidays securely."

Mamdani said Rosh Hashanah celebrations will be top of mind for law enforcement.

"As we look ahead to Friday evening, NYPD personnel will continue monitoring for any threats, both online and in person," the mayor said. "Let me be clear. There are no current known specific or credible threats against New York at this time. We will continue to work closely across all levels of city government, as well as with state and federal partners, to keep our city safe."

Gov. Kathy Hochul said Tuesday that more state troopers will be deployed into Jewish communities and around synagogues. She also announced $70 million in grant funding to nearly 300 organizations considered vulnerable to hate crimes.

"We shouldn't have to do this. We should never have to be thinking that these places of worship and places children go to school had to be fortified against hate, and I pray that this time will pass, that at some point the fever will break," Hochul said.

The money can pay for safety measures including cameras, locks, panic buttons, barriers and even cybersecurity.

This comes amid a rise in antisemitism in the city. Reported hate crimes are up 16% so far in 2026, with more than half targeting Jewish New Yorkers.

"I want all Jewish New Yorkers to know this: you have a partner in the NYPD now and throughout the year," Tisch said, adding even though there are currently no credible threats, everyone should remain vigilant.

At Rabbi Chaim Steinmetz's Upper East Side synagogue, people are screened and have to show ID before they go inside.

"What has happened with security is that it is essentially a tax that has been levied on the Jewish community. It's an antisemitism tax," he said. "It's wonderful that we now are getting some government money. It nowhere meets the needs of the community, which is much larger."

Steinmetz said they are already at "max security."

A recent survey found that, on average, synagogues are now spending more than $400,000 every year on security. Money that can come at the expense of classrooms, programs and other needs.