On the eve of the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks, the New York City Police Department unveiled a memorial wall at its headquarters on September 9th to honor the officers who died on the day of the attacks and subsequently due to related illnesses. The city government also announced increased security measures for this year’s memorial ceremony, with extensive road closures around the World Trade Center and a higher presence of law enforcement officers on site.
In total, 23 NYPD officers perished at the World Trade Center on the day of the terrorist attacks, including 14 members of the early responder emergency service teams. Since then, over 469 police department members have died from illnesses related to rescue and cleanup work, with another 1,700 individuals retiring due to injuries or illnesses related to the World Trade Center.
NYPD Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch remarked during the unveiling ceremony that for those who participated in the rescue efforts, the events of 9/11 did not end with the extinguishing of the fires, but rather the consequences have continued to manifest for a quarter of a century. She emphasized the distinction between the terrorists who attacked the city and the heroes who rushed into the towers to save innocent lives, stating that the passage of 25 years should not blur that distinction.
Mayor Mammadani shared the story of Officer John William Perry, who had planned to resign from the police force and pursue a career as a lawyer on the morning of September 11, 2001. When the first plane struck the North Tower, Perry retrieved his badge and headed to the scene. His last sighting was assisting a woman to escape the South Tower; he then went back inside the building to rescue others, never to return.
The memorial wall, located in the police headquarters lobby, was funded by the New York City Police Foundation, with construction supported by Ken Griffin, the founder and CEO of Citadel.
On Wednesday afternoon, Mayor Mammadani and Commissioner Tisch held a press conference to announce the security arrangements for the September 11th World Trade Center memorial ceremony. Family members of the victims, several former presidents, and other dignitaries are expected to attend. The event is not open to the general public, and invited guests will undergo security checks; the 9/11 Memorial Plaza will reopen to the public at 3 p.m.
The Strategic Response Group will set up barricades on the east side of the West Side Highway, from Liberty Street to Fulton Street. Beginning at 6 a.m. on Friday, vehicle traffic will be prohibited in the area south of Vesey Street to Battery Park and west of Broadway to West Street. Southbound lanes of Broadway will remain open, but trucks will be restricted from entering the controlled area.
The Hugh L. Carey Tunnel will remain open, allowing vehicles entering Manhattan to access the FDR Drive. The 1 train line will bypass the World Trade Center-Cortlandt Street station on the day of the memorial. The city government advises the public to avoid driving to Lower Manhattan on September 11th.
Law enforcement will collaborate with the Strategic Response Group and federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to deploy uniformed officers, counterterrorism heavy weapons teams, and anti-drone capabilities. Commissioner Tisch did not disclose specific numbers, only mentioning that there will be more officers present than in previous years.
NYPD Deputy Commissioner for Intelligence and Counterterrorism, Rebecca Weiner, pointed out that today’s threat landscape is significantly different from 25 years ago, with threats being more diverse, decentralized, and personalized. Threats no longer solely come from organizations like Al-Qaeda or ISIS but also include violence inspired by conspiracy theories, far-left and far-right extremism, and anti-government extremism.
This year, the Jewish New Year coincides with September 11th. On that day, police will increase patrols and stationed officers around synagogues, Jewish schools, and cultural institutions. As of now, New York City has not faced any specific credible threats related to either of these events.