T20 World Cup 2024: India vs Pakistan match on the radar of terrorism, New York Police beefs up security
Published - 30 May 2024, 11:00 AM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 01:12 AM
The T20 World Cup 2024 will be played in the West Indies and the United States of America (USA), starting on June 1. The main focus is on the India-Pakistan match, which is set to be played in New York. However, there are concerns regarding the security arrangements at the Nassau Country Cricket Stadium.
The Rohit Sharma-led team is placed in Group A alongside Pakistan, Ireland, Canada, and the USA. India will face Ireland in their first match at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York on June 5. They will take on Pakistan in their second group stage match at the same venue on June 9.
Security has been intensified around the stadium as the New York Police Department (NYPD) is on high alert following a potential lone-wolf attack threat. The security personnel are preparing for this possibility and taking extensive measures to prevent disruptions during the high-octane World Cup match.
According to Wikipedia, lone wolf attack "is a particular kind of mass murder, committed in a public setting by an individual who plans and commits the act on their own."
We Take Every Threat Seriously - Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman
The agencies are planning to enhance security measures as the game progresses. Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman stated that extensive precautions are taken to ensure safety and added extra police officers throughout the county as a precautionary measure.
"Each and every day, Nassau County, as well as other communities, cities, counties, and towns throughout the United States, receive all kinds of threats. We take every threat seriously. He further opined, "To that end, we have taken many, many precautions. As well as making sure that the stadium and the surrounding Eisenhower Park are safe, the parking areas are safe, and the watch areas are safe, we are also adding 100 additional police officers to our normal staffing for the rest of the county, just as a precaution,” CBS News quoted Blakeman as saying.
I Can Guarantee You - Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder
Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder acknowledged the potential 'Lone Wolf' threat but guaranteed the stadium as the safest place in Nassau County on June 9. Ryder emphasized meticulous planning for safety, labeling the event's security measures as the county's largest ever.
"When you've got a game and a crowd as big as this, everything is credible. We will go through every fine detail when it comes to the security and safety of the residents here in Nassau County. I can guarantee you this is the largest security we've ever had to do in this county's history, and I can also guarantee you the safest place to be in Nassau County on June 9 will be inside that stadium," Ryder said.
The ICC also assured fans of complete security during the high-profile match, stating a comprehensive and robust security plan is in place for the entire tournament across the Americas. A spokesperson emphasized the priority placed on safety, continually monitoring global conditions to mitigate risks.
The stadium, with a 34,000-seat capacity, was constructed specifically for the 2024 T20 World Cup. Temporary galleries from the Las Vegas Formula One track were installed at the venue and will be removed after the tournament. The ICC repurposed a municipal park into a cricket facility, including training pitches.
