NYPD out in force at Halloween parade 1 year after bike path attack

NEW YORK (FOX5NY.COM) - The NYPD increased manpower at the Greenwich Village Halloween parade after last year's holiday was marred by a deadly truck attack.

Thousands of uniformed and plainclothes officers patrolled Wednesday's parade along 6th Avenue, police said. Counter-terrorism units, police dogs, and helicopters are in place, too.

Police Commissioner James O'Neill said the NYPD wanted to ensure New Yorkers can celebrate "in an atmosphere of community, peace and fun, and certainly not fear."

"We'll be keeping New Yorkers safe in many ways," added O'Neill.

Halloween was marred last year when a man driving a truck mowed down cyclists on a busy bike path along the Hudson River, killing eight people.

Police shot the truck's driver, Sayfullo Saipov, after he crashed into a school bus. He is awaiting trial on terrorism charges. Federal prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.

Wednesday's parade is the city's first large-scale event since last week's discovery of a series of package bombs and the Pittsburgh synagogue massacre that left 11 people dead.

With the Associated Press