U.N. General Assembly ramps up next week. NYPD preparing for gridlock and protests.

NEW YORK — The United Nations General Assembly ramps up next week in New York City, with President Joe Biden and other world leaders in town. 

The U.N. General Assembly started on Sept. 10 and lasts until Monday, Sept. 30, but the High-Level Debate begins Tuesday, Sept. 24. 

New Yorkers should expect heightened security and gridlock street closures as they go about their day-to-day.

“No specific or credible threats”

NYPD and security officials held a news conference Friday to discuss security plans. 

“For 79 years, world leaders have been meeting here in New York City to discuss global policy at the U.N. General Assembly. And every year, the men and women of the New York City Police Department make that meeting possible,” Interim Police Commissioner Tom Donlon said. “Over the next two weeks, everyone here is working towards the same goal: The safety of U.N. General Assembly attendees and also the people in the neighborhood here. That’s important. And also the pedestrians that we see walking through the neighborhood, to make them feel safe.” 

Donlon said the NYPD will be deploying resources citywide, and it will be a combined, “all hands” effort, with K9, aviation, harbor, highway and more units involved. 

“I can tell you right now, there are no specific or credible threats at this moment to this very important event,” Donlon said. “The eyes of the world will be looking at us, and I’m quite confident that this will be a very successful event, hopefully, that will be handled by professionals in a safe and secure manner.” 

Donlon urges people use public transportation to get around due to the numerous street closures that are expected. 

Security measures include ensuring the airspace over the event remains secure and preventing unauthorized drone activity. 

Another concern: In just over a two month period, there have been two assassination attempts on former President Donald Trump. 

As always, NYPD officials are reminding people to “see something, say something” about any possible security concerns. 

Protests have already begun

Friday morning there was already a lineup of emergency vehicles, with bomb-sniffing dogs and more. The NYPD said they were handling 12 protests related to the UNGA Friday. Hundreds gathered at a rally Friday morning calling for Israeli hostages to be brought home, as well as for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war. 

The UNGA is is taking place amid increased attacks in the Middle East, particularly Lebanon, where hundreds of pagers detonated. 

Map shows U.N. General Assembly street closures

Drivers can expect delays along 1st Avenue between 34th and 63rd streets, as well as the FDR Drive. Transportation officials encourage New Yorkers to use mass transit, as much as possible.

The NYPD says the following street closures will be in effect until Sept. 29.

• FDR Drive between Whitehall Street and 42nd Street
• Area bounded by East 86th Street on the North, East 80th Street on the South, Park Avenue on the East and 5th Avenue on the West; All inclusive
• Area bounded by 60th Street on the North, 34th Street on the South, 1st Avenue on the East and 3rd Avenue on the West; All inclusive
• Area bounded by 57th Street on the North, 45th Street on the South, 3rd Avenue on the East and Madison Avenue on the West; All inclusive
• Area bounded by 58th Street on the North, 49th Street on the South, Madison Avenue on the East and 6th Avenue / Avenue of the Americas on the West; All inclusive
• Area bounded by West 47th Street on the North, West 44th Street on the South, 7th Avenue on the East and 8th Avenue on the West; All inclusive
• Grand Army Plaza between 58th Street and 60th Street
• Grand Army Plaza between East Drive and 5th Avenue
• 8th Avenue between West 49th Street and West 44th Street
• 6th Avenue between West 59th Street and West 46th Street
• 5th Avenue between East 63rd Street and East 49th Street
• Madison Avenue between East 58th Street and East 42nd Street
• Vanderbilt Avenue between East 47th Street and East 42nd Street
• Park Avenue between East 62nd Street and East 45th Street
• Lexington Avenue between East 57th Street and East 42nd Street
• East 63rd Street between 5th Avenue and Madison Avenue
• East 62nd Street between 5th Avenue and Park Avenue
• East 61st Street between 5th Avenue and Lexington Avenue
• West 59th Street between 7th Avenue and 5th Avenue
• West/East 58th Street between Broadway and 6th Avenue / Avenue of the Americas
• West/East 57th Street between 7th Avenue and Dead End / FDR Drive
• West 56th Street between 7th Avenue and 6th Avenue
• West 55th Street between 7th Avenue and 6th Avenue
• West 54th Street between 7th Avenue and 6th Avenue
• West/East 53rd Street between 7th Avenue and FDR Drive
• West 52nd Street between 7th Avenue and 6th Avenue
• West 51st Street between 7th Avenue and 6th Avenue
• West/East 50th Street between 7th Avenue and Dead End / FDR Drive
• West/East 49th Street between 8th Avenue and FDR Drive Service Road
• FDR Drive Service Road between East 48th Street and East 49th Street
• East 48th Street between 1st Avenue and FDR Drive Service Road
• West 46th Street between 8th Avenue and 6th Avenue / Avenue of the Americas
• West/East 42nd Street between 7th Avenue and FDR Drive
• West/East 34th Street between 7th Avenue and FDR Drive

Natalie Duddridge

Natalie Duddridge is an award-winning journalist. She joined CBS News New York as a reporter in February 2018.