Rebecca Peeler
In some ways, it was just the same as every other Wednesday before Thanksgiving on the Upper West Side. Pedestrians leisurely strolled along West 81st and West 77th Streets between Columbus Avenue and Central Park West to watch the balloons being inflated for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Young children were excited to see massive versions of favorite cartoon characters like Hello Kitty, Pikachu and Snoopy.
But in the wake of the attacks on Paris and Mali, the possibility of an attack here was also on the minds of spectators.
Dexter, 46, who refused to give his last name, works at a nearby heating ventilation air conditioning company and came out to watch the balloons being pumped with helium. Although he is a native New Yorker, it was his first year attending the balloon inflation ceremony. He said he usually watches this pre-Thanksgiving Day tradition on television.
“We’re prepared, but we still have to be on our p’s and q’s,” he said. Dexter said he didn’t think that being apart of a large crowd would make him a potential target for terrorism. “Look at Paris. They (ISIS) hit up small event spaces and restaurants.”
Jessica Marino, 23, was visiting from East Brunswick, N.J. “If they’re going to do it, then they’re going to do it,” she said as she smoked an electronic cigarette outside the American Museum of Natural History. “You can’t not leave your house because you’re scared of what might happen.”
Other spectators made similar comments. Greg Stewart, of Cincinnati, Ohio, said he loves New York City around Thanksgiving and tries to come to the city especially during the holiday season.
“You can’t let things paralyze you,” he said. “You have to enjoy life. I feel comforted by the police presence. It makes me feel safer.”
A mob of police officers stood in a messy formation along Central Park West and West 77th Street. There were also officers patrolling the blocks of the balloon inflation.
Freddie Hernandez, 54, has been a doorman at The Beresford on West 81st Street and Central Park West for 35 years. He said he loves watching the balloon inflation every year.
“I’ve heard there is more security this year,” he said. “I’ve also noticed some undercover cops roaming around and cops with dogs too.”
A Macy’s Parade coordinator, who asked to remain anonymous, confirmed Hernandez’s observations. He said that Macy’s has taken extra security measures in response to recent events.
Police officers and the Macy’s security team declined to comment on any of the additional security measures that were being taken.
Jamelyn Ebelacker, 24, of Santa Clara, N.M., was one of the many volunteer balloon handlers participating in the parade. She said that as part of her application, she had to undergo a background check.
While most balloon inflation watchers said that they felt safe, some remained concerned. A family of four from South Carolina sat on a bench eating a meal from the nearby Shake Shack. They said they noticed a lot of police officers in Times Square. They said they felt safe overall, but they planned to skip the main event tomorrow.
The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade has been an annual event since 1924. It is the largest Thanksgiving parade in the United States.
Adam, a native New Yorker, who refused to give his last name said that the recent Paris attacks don’t make him feel better, but the inflation ceremony is a tradition he didn’t want to miss. He said that New Yorkers aren’t going to shy away from going places because any place in the city could potentially be a target.
“You just have to adjust,” he said. “Let’s have a parade!”