Police activity increased in Central Park after suspicious immobile device found near marathon finish line – NBC New York

Amid increased security ahead of this weekend’s New York City marathon, a suspicious fake or counterfeit device found in Central Park near the finish line sparked a major police response Friday morning, sources with knowledge of the matter told NBC New York. .

The inert device was found shortly after 9 a.m. at a picnic table near West 68th Street and West Dr, near the finish line of the 2024 TCS New York City Marathon, according to a source.

According to the source, out of an abundance of caution, a bomb squad was called to the area to investigate and handle the potential device.

Sources told NBC that first responders considered it to be a fake or fake, a non-functional device, potentially a stun grenade or a replica flash grenade, which NBC stressed was not real.

The NYPD’s Emergency Services Unit was on the scene and established a perimeter, the source said.

Police said “everything is fine” shortly after 11 p.m.

Police Activity: Expect traffic delays, road closures and emergency personnel near Central Park and West 68th Street in Manhattan. Avoid the area. @NYPDCentralPark

— NYCEM – Notify NYC (@NotifyNYC) November 1, 2024

Around 50,000 runners are expected to participate in Sunday’s marathon.

Helicopter 4 / NBC New York

Helicopter 4 / NBC New York