00:00Good morning, everyone. Tonight is Game 3 of the NBA Finals, and it is an extraordinary moment for the Knicks
00:06and for fans across the five boroughs.
00:08A chance to celebrate this team and this run with the energy that only New York can bring.
00:14But tonight, we'll also bring a major presidential visit to Madison Square Garden.
00:19As you know by now, because of that visit, and in coordination with the United States Secret Service,
00:24there will unfortunately be no watch party outside of Madison Square Garden for Game 3 of the Finals.
00:30And no access to the immediate vicinity of MSG without an authorized reason to be there.
00:36However, the mayor will be hosting a watch party nearby at Bryan Park, and MSG will be hosting two watch
00:44parties,
00:45one at Woolman Rink in Central Park and one at Brooklyn Bowl.
00:49We do expect watch parties to resume outside of the Garden for Game 4.
00:54Here is some information about what to expect security-wise for tonight's game.
01:01Tonight, in the area around Madison Square Garden, the NYPD will establish a security perimeter that runs from West 30th
01:09Street to West 35th Street,
01:12between 6th Avenue and 8th Avenue.
01:14Within the security area, 7th Avenue and 8th Avenues will be closed to vehicular traffic and general pedestrian traffic beginning
01:24at 4 p.m.
01:26Starting at 4 p.m., no one will be allowed inside the secured area unless they have a ticket to
01:33the game, a train ticket,
01:35they are going to a business inside the area, they have credentials, or they have some other authorized reason to
01:43be there.
01:44Everyone entering the secure area will be screened by the New York City Police Department.
01:50If you have reason to be in the secure area, you can enter at one of five designated entry points
01:57where that screening will occur.
01:59Those entry points will be located on the west side of 6th Avenue at West 32nd Street,
02:05the west side of 6th Avenue at West 33rd Street,
02:08the northeast corner of West 29th Street and 7th Avenue,
02:12the northeast corner of West 30th Street and 8th Avenue,
02:16and the southeast corner of West 34th Street and 8th Avenue.
02:20Please remember that certain items will not be permitted inside the secure area,
02:25including backpacks, bags, or alcohol.
02:28The only exception will be for travelers entering Penn Station who will be allowed to carry bags needed for travel.
02:35Businesses inside of the perimeter, including bars and restaurants between 6th and 7th Avenues,
02:41and those between 7th and 8th Avenues will be allowed to operate with strict capacity limits.
02:46If you plan to frequent one of these locations, you will need to be screened at a security checkpoint.
02:52When you leave, you will not be allowed onto 7th Avenue or 8th Avenue inside of the secure area.
02:59If you are not going to the game, we are asking you to avoid the area around Madison Square Garden
03:05tonight.
03:06And if you are coming to the area, do not drive.
03:09Use mass transit, give yourself extra time, and follow the direction of NYPD officers and security personnel on the ground.
03:16For access to public transportation, including Amtrak, LIRR, New Jersey Transit, and the subway,
03:22your best bet in the area will be to use the entrances to Moynihan Station on the west side of
03:298th Avenue on 31st and 33rd Streets,
03:32which will be outside of the secure area.
03:35We do not anticipate any service changes or disruptions as a result of the security plan.
03:41When the game ends, fans leaving Madison Square Garden will exit onto 7th Avenue or 8th Avenue.
03:47From there, they will be directed north or south toward West 29th Street or West 36th Street.
03:53East-west egress will only be possible south of 30th Street or north of 35th Street.
03:59So if you are planning to take an Uber, a taxi, or another ride after the game,
04:03you should plan to do that from West 29th Street or West 36th Street, not directly outside of the Garden.
04:09For Game 4, we do expect watch parties outside of Madison Square Garden to resume.
04:15Those watch parties will be managed with pens and screening,
04:18and we do anticipate the same security perimeter for safety purposes.
04:22We will have more to say about those plans in the days ahead,
04:25but the plan will be modeled after Times Square New Year's Eve, one of the most joyous nights of the
04:31year.
04:31So the message is simple.
04:33Celebrate the Knicks, but avoid the MSG area tonight.
04:36If you do not have tickets for the game or some other valid reason to be there tonight.
04:42Thank you, and go Knicks.
04:43side.
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