Threats made against the T20 Cricket World Cup, which is set to begin June 3 at Eisenhower Park in East Meadow, have led to increased security measures around the event, according to authorities in Nassau County.
Calling it “the Super Bowl on steroids,” Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman announced that 100 additional Nassau County police officers would be added to the streets during the event. Blakeman also mentioned collaboration with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Department of Homeland Security, the New York City Police Department, New York State Park Police, and local authorities such as the Garden City Police Department and East Meadow Fire Department.
“We have a tremendous responsibility that we have each and every day on making sure that all of our communities are safe,” Blakeman told reporters Wednesday. “During this process of hosting such an important international event, we have taken, what I would say, are superior measures to make sure that we are on top of every potential situation that can occur. The terrorists only have to be right once – we have to be right all the time. But if I wasn’t confident that we were safe, secure, and that our health care measures were not in place, I would not do this [event].”
Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder joined Blakeman to announce that metal detectors would be used on anyone going into the event, no bags except clear, plastic ones would be allowed, and there will be a no-fly zone around Eisenhower Park for the tournament.
Ryder mentioned that they have been receiving threats since April, including an international threat was received from terrorist group ISIS-K, and a purportedly threatening email specifically referencing June 9 – the day India and Pakistan play each other in the tournament.
But like Blakeman, Ryder is confident in the security protocols put in place.
“This is the largest security we’ve ever had to do in this County’s history,” Ryder said “And I can also guarantee you it is the safest place to be in Nassau County on June 9 will be inside that stadium.”
Ryder added that the credibility of the threats may be unfounded, but they would still treat it seriously.
The Cricket World Cup’s Eisenhower Park festivities will begin June 3 and end June 12.
