NYPD, feds set to protect hundreds of dignitaries at UN General Assembly starting next week

Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News on Sep 18, 2025

By clicking submit, I authorize Arcamax and its affiliates to: (1) use, sell, and share my information for marketing purposes, including cross-context behavioral advertising, as described in our Privacy Policy , (2) add to information that I provide with other information like interests inferred from web page views, or data lawfully obtained from data brokers, such as past purchase or location data, or publicly available data, (3) contact me or enable others to contact me by email or other means with offers for different types of goods and services, and (4) retain my information while I am engaging with marketing messages that I receive and for a reasonable amount of time thereafter. I understand I can opt out at any time through an email that I receive, or by clicking here

NEW YORK — Scores of cops will be on hand to protect the more than 200 dignitaries expected to attend this year’s United Nations General Assembly next week, Mayor Eric Adams and Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said Thursday.

New Yorkers can expect street closures, particularly on the East Side of Manhattan near the United Nations, on First Avenue between 42nd and 48th streets, beginning Sunday when the dignitaries start arriving, Tisch said.

The United Nations is marking its 80th anniversary of the General Assembly this year.

With gridlock expected as dignitaries are driven to events throughout the city, New Yorkers are recommended to take public transportation whenever possible next week.

Dignitaries expected to be coming include Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The International Criminal Court last year filed an arrest warrant for Netanyahu for war crimes during the ongoing Gaza conflict.

Police Commissioner Tisch said that “despite the tensions overseas, there are no known specific credible threats” against the U.N. General Assembly.

“But that does not change our posture,” said Tisch, explaining that the NYPD is poised to activate a “layered security plan” involving thousands of cops that will patrol both above and below ground, as well as along the waterways with the NYPD Harbor Unit and in the air with department-flown drones.

“New York will remain safe, welcoming and in motion during this global event,” she said, adding that cops will also ensure that planned protests against the U.N. and the dignitaries will also go on without a hitch.

“(But) we will not tolerate anything that threatens disorder and threatens the security of events,” she said.

Matt McCool, the U.S. Secret Service special agent in charge for the New York City office, who has been organizing U.N. General Assembly security plans with the NYPD and other federal partners, said, “The eyes of the world will be on New York” next week.

“This is the largest gathering of global leaders on he planet,” he said.

Adams, who said he plans to meet with Netanyahu when he arrives, said the U.N. General Assembly is a forum for open dialogue on issues affecting nations across the planet.

“Even if we disagree, (the U.N.) remains a symbol of peace and hope,” he said.

_____