Lone actors and smaller groups with a variety of ideological motives pose probably the most vital threat to New Year’s Eve celebrations just like the one in Times Square, in accordance to a joint evaluation from the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security.
The report, which was obtained by NCS, particularly notes the menace from small groups of individuals “seeking to commit acts of violence motivated by a broad range of racial, ethnic, political, religious, anti-government, anti-immigration, societal or ideological beliefs and grievances.”
There is not any particular, credible menace, in accordance to the evaluation, which is completed forward of main occasions like New Year’s Eve and July Fourth. However, the general so-called “threat matrix” stays elevated.
“If you look at the number of terrorist related events and targeted violent attacks this year alone, and the increase in propaganda from violent extremist groups, there is a lot of concern about the atmosphere heading into the new year,” NCS Chief Law Enforcement Analyst John Miller stated.
The evaluation notes persistent threats from each overseas and home actors, and cites the continuing dangers of focused capturing occasions, in addition to cybercrime.
Notably, the evaluation additionally discusses the priority about using vehicle ramming in assaults, just like the one which occurred in New Orleans on January 1, 2025, killing 14 individuals.
“This tactic is likely to remain attractive for aspiring attackers given the accessibility of vehicles and the low skill threshold necessary to conduct an attack,” the report notes, citing a particular concern concerning the potential menace of copycat assaults.
The metropolis of New Orleans introduced earlier this week it could activate its Emergency Operations Center to monitor exercise throughout the town starting New Year’s Eve and going via the Sugar Bowl on New Year’s Day.