The New York Police Department has come under fire from New Yorkers who have called out authorities’ ‘insane’ demand ahead of the NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden.
Games 3 and 4 of the NBA Finals are set to descend on the Big Apple with the New York Knicks clinching a 2-0 series lead over the San Antonio Spurs, sparking chaos across the city.
However, Monday night’s game – the Knicks first home Finals game in 27 years – arrives with even more of a frenzy thanks to the attendance of Donald Trump.
The president’s planned attendance at the Garden has put the NYPD on high alert with security measures ratcheted up – much to the displeasure of the city’s locals.
Pedestrian traffic will be restricted for several blocks surrounding Madison Square Garden ahead of the game, it was announced on Monday.
The NYPD said pedestrians without an ‘authorized reason’ would not be allowed inside a secure area around the arena between West 35th and 30th Streets and Sixth and Eighth Avenues beginning four and a half hours before the 8:30pm ET tipoff.
Security measures around Madison Square Garden and Midtown have been ratcheted up
The measures come as Donald Trump plans to attend Game 3 of the Knicks’ NBA Finals
‘With tonight’s presidential visit, there will be extra security measures in and around MSG that the NYPD and Secret Service have planned together,’ NYPD said in a statement posted to social media.
‘No one will be allowed inside the secure area unless you have a ticket to the game, a train ticket, are going to a business inside the area, have credentials, or have some other authorized reason to be there,’ it said.
Those entering the secure area will be screened and will only be permitted to enter through a handful of access points.
The announcement sparked uproar among New Yorkers on social media, with many hitting out at the ban.
‘Sorry this is just insane. You can’t walk around midtown manhattan? Gtfo,’ one user shared in response to the decision.
They added: ‘It’s not because of the Knicks. It’s because one person is going to the game.’
‘Lmao NYC really shutting down midtown for Trump’s Knicks game like it’s a national emergency,’ another posted.
‘Midtown Manhattan, 8 million people, and the plan is ‘no walking’. That’s like turning off WiFi to fix a router,’ a third wrote. ‘Crowd control fails, so ban feet. Meanwhile Ubers will still clog every block. Smart strategy NYPD.’
The New York Knicks face the San Antonio Spurs in their first NBA Finals in 27 years
Watch parties outside of MSG have been cancelled for Game 3 due to Trump’s attendance
‘This is a massive shutdown of midtown ahead of Knicks-Spurs Game 3 at MSG. Can’t imagine the pain it will cause local bars/restaurants in the area,’ said another, referring to the countless number of local businesses that would miss out on one of their greatest paydays of the year due to the shutdown.
‘And can’t imagine how difficult it will be to get through the security checkpoints,’ they added.
The Secret Service previously urged ticket holders to arrive two hours early to the venue long known as the ‘World’s Most Famous Arena,’ which sits atop the busiest transit hub in the United States, Penn Station.
Fans should expect ‘Secret Service-level security screening’ with a no-bag policy.
The watch party for fans that has been held outside MSG for previous playoff games will not take place on Monday due to security concerns, the NYPD said on Sunday.
Trump has attended several high-profile sporting events in his second term, including the US Open tennis men’s final across town in Flushing, Queens, where thousands of ticket holders missed the start of the match as security checks related to his attendance caused confusion and slowed entry.
