A throng of 1 million revelers in Times Square rang in the New Year with raucous cheers and a blizzard of confetti, striking an optimistic, even defiant, tone amid jitters over extremist attacks and heavy security that included 6,000 police officers.
"You haven't lived until you've experienced Times Square on New Year's," said Eric Robertson, 25, of Philadelphia, who kissed his girlfriend as the crowd counted down the seconds to the New Year and the ball dropped at the stroke of midnight.
Partygoers from around the world had waited hours at the famed Manhattan crossroads — some since before dawn — for the countdown. Mayor Bill de Blasio pushed the button to send a 11,875-pound Waterford crystal ball into its minute-long decent.
New Year's Eve fireworks display on the Delaware River with Camden NJ as the backdrop viewed from Penn's Landing on December 31, 2015 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
New York's Times Square glows during New Year's Eve celebrations seen from a New York Police helicopter patrolling the city, Thursday, Dec. 31, 2015, in New York.
Revelers celebrate as confetti flies over New York's Times Square after the clock strikes midnight during the New Year's Eve celebration as seen from the Marriott Marquis hotel, Jan. 1, 2016.
Confetti falls from the ceiling at the stroke of midnight during the NHL New Year's Eve BASH at the House of Blues as part of the 2016 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic, December 31, 2015 in Boston, Massachusetts.
A police officer, right, walks past revelers playing with confetti in New York's Times Square after the New Year's Eve celebration, as seen from the Marriott Marquis hotel, Friday, Jan. 1, 2016.
A worker cleans up confetti and garbage after New Year celebrations in Times Square, New York, January 1, 2016.
15/15 SLIDES
As the clock struck 12 o'clock, cheers erupted as fireworks shot into the sky and people shared hugs and their first kisses of the year.
The revelers were protected by an unprecedented number of police officers — some in civilian clothes, many heavily armed — as well as rigid security screenings.
"This is the iconic New Year's celebration for the world," New York Police Department Commissioner William Bratton said. "We have no threats we're aware of directed against this event tonight but nevertheless we still plan for the worst and then expect the best."
Officers from the NYPD's elite emergency services unit surveyed the scene from Times Square rooftops, peering below through binoculars and scopes as snipers stood beside them. Heavily armed officers carrying tactical rifles stood on nearly every corner for blocks as police helicopters buzzed overhead after checking in on other parts of the city, including the World Trade Center and Statue of Liberty.
Some in the crowd admitted to being nervous to gather in such a famous location in the weeks after the Paris and San Bernardino attacks. Just hours earlier Thursday, an ex-con was charged in upstate New York with planning to carry out a New Year's Eve attack at a bar to prove he was worthy of joining the Islamic State terror group. That case prompted the city to cancel its New Year's Eve fireworks celebration.
Ashley Watters, 18, a freshman at Temple University hailing from Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, called the threat of terrorism "the elephant in the room."
"I talked to my dad before I left and said 'I love you and hopefully ISIS doesn't come,'" said Watters. "My dad said, 'Keep your eyes out.' He feels the same way, you can't live in fear. I'm not going to miss out on an opportunity."
Others were heartened by the massive security presence for the party to send off 2015 that featured musical acts by Carrie Underwood, Nick Jonas and Demi Lovato and temperatures that, to the relief of the bundled-up spectators, stayed well above freezing.
"I actually believe this is the safest place in the world," said Eku Kabba, 27, who has made the trip from Gaithersburg, Maryland to Times Square for the last five years.
"It could happen anywhere, but you can't start the world panicking," he said as a recording of the James Brown song "Living in America" blared from the stage. "Look around; there are men in uniform everywhere."
People take part in celebrations at Times Square on January 1, 2016 in New York City. At least 6,000 police officers were deployed, including rooftop snipers, canine units and air and water patrols, in and around Times Square in Manhattan. Mayor Bill de Blasio declared New York to be "the best prepared city to prevent terrorism and to deal with any event that could occur."
Takanobu Nobori (L) and Shoko Toyama kiss to celebrate ringing in the new year in Times Square on January 1, 2016 in New York City. The New York City Police Department deployed more than 6,000 officers in the Times Square area, including more than 1,100 officers who graduated from the police academy on Tuesday.
Women take a selfie to celebrate ringing in the new year in Times Square on January 1, 2016 in New York City. The New York City Police Department deployed more than 6,000 officers in the Times Square area, including more than 1,100 officers who graduated from the police academy on Tuesday.
Fireworks go off as the new year is rung in in Times Square on January 1, 2016 in New York City. The New York City Police Department deployed more than 6,000 officers in the Times Square area, including more than 1,100 officers who graduated from the police academy on Tuesday.
Fireworks go off as the new year is rung in in Times Square on January 1, 2016 in New York City. The New York City Police Department deployed more than 6,000 officers in the Times Square area, including more than 1,100 officers who graduated from the police academy on Tuesday.
Cynthia Falu, from Dover, Del., celebrates New Year's Eve at noon with her children in Times Square in New York, Thursday, Dec. 31, 2015. Around 1 million people are expected to converge on Times Square for the annual New Year's Eve celebration. This year's festivities will also be attended by nearly 6,000 New York City police officers, including members of a specialized counterterrorism unit.
Police officers gather at the southern end of Times Square to receive their assignments for New Year's Eve in New York, Thursday, Dec. 31, 2015. Around 1 million people are expected to converge on Times Square for the annual New Year's Eve celebration. This year's festivities will also be attended by nearly 6,000 New York City police officers, including members of a specialized counterterrorism unit.
Police officers walk through the gathering crowds at Times Square in New York, Thursday, Dec. 31, 2015. Around 1 million people are expected to converge on Times Square for the annual New Year's Eve celebration. This year's festivities will also be attended by nearly 6,000 New York City police officers, including members of a specialized counterterrorism unit.
Police officers walk through the gathering crowds at Times Square in New York, Thursday, Dec. 31, 2015. Around 1 million people are expected to converge on Times Square for the annual New Year's Eve celebration. This year's festivities will also be attended by nearly 6,000 New York City police officers, including members of a specialized counterterrorism unit.
Police officers gather at the southern end of Times Square to receive their assignments for New Year's Eve in New York, Thursday, Dec. 31, 2015. Around 1 million people are expected to converge on Times Square for the annual New Year's Eve celebration. This year's festivities will also be attended by nearly 6,000 New York City police officers, including members of a specialized counterterrorism unit.
Pedestrians submit to a search as they enter Times Square in New York, Thursday, Dec. 31, 2015. Around 1 million people are expected to converge on Times Square for the annual New Year's Eve celebration. This year's festivities will also be attended by nearly 6,000 New York City police officers, including members of a specialized counterterrorism unit.
A long line of pedestrians wait to be searched as they enter Times Square in New York, Thursday, Dec. 31, 2015. Around 1 million people are expected to converge on Times Square for the annual New Year's Eve celebration. This year's festivities will also be attended by nearly 6,000 New York City police officers, including members of a specialized counterterrorism unit.
Pedestrians submit to a search as they enter Times Square in New York, Thursday, Dec. 31, 2015. Around 1 million people are expected to converge on Times Square for the annual New Year's Eve celebration. This year's festivities will also be attended by nearly 6,000 New York City police officers, including members of a specialized counterterrorism unit.
Police officers look over a crowd waiting for midnight in Times Square in New York, Thursday, Dec. 31, 2015. Around 1 million people are expected to converge on Times Square for the annual New Year's Eve celebration. This year's festivities will also be attended by nearly 6,000 New York City police officers, including members of a specialized counterterrorism unit.
Kaleo Woods is packed into a pen with other revelers while waiting for midnight in Times Square in New York, Thursday, Dec. 31, 2015. Around 1 million people are expected to converge on Times Square for the annual New Year's Eve celebration. This year's festivities will also be attended by nearly 6,000 New York City police officers, including members of a specialized counterterrorism unit.
Pedestrians submit to a search as they enter Times Square in New York, Thursday, Dec. 31, 2015. Around 1 million people are expected to converge on Times Square for the annual New Year's Eve celebration. This year's festivities will also be attended by nearly 6,000 New York City police officers, including members of a specialized counterterrorism unit.
18/18 SLIDES
A child is lifted above the crowd during New Year celebrations in Times Square in the Manhattan borough of New York December 31, 2015. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly
18/18 SLIDES
Associated Press writer William Mathis, photographer Julio Cortez and radio correspondent Julie Walker contributed to this report
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A throng of 1 million revelers in Times Square rang in the New Year with raucous cheers and a blizzard of confetti, striking an optimistic, even defiant, tone amid jitters over extremist attacks and heavy security that included 6,000 police officers.![Fireworks go off as the new year is rung in in Times Square on January 1, 2016 in New York City. The New York City Police Department deployed more than 6,000 officers in the Times Square area, including more than 1,100 officers who graduated from the police academy on Tuesday.]({"default":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BBo6mmw.img?h=373&w=624&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f&x=1304&y=859"} "New York's Times Square Hosts Annual New Year's Eve Celebration - Andrew Burton/Getty Images")
![Women take a selfie to celebrate ringing in the new year in Times Square on January 1, 2016 in New York City. The New York City Police Department deployed more than 6,000 officers in the Times Square area, including more than 1,100 officers who graduated from the police academy on Tuesday.]({"default":{"load":"wait","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BBo6ha8.img?h=373&w=624&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f"}} "New York's Times Square Hosts Annual New Year's Eve Celebration - Andrew Burton/Getty Images")
![Demi Lovato performs during New Year's Eve celebrations at Times Square on December 31, 2015 in New York City.]({"default":{"load":"wait","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BBo6rmM.img?h=373&w=624&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f"}} "Demi Lovato performs during New Year's Eve celebrations at Times Square on December 31, 2015 in New ... - Eugene Gologursky/Getty Images for Toshiba Corporation")
![A couple kisses while waiting to celebrate the new year in Times Square on December 31, 2015 in New York City. The New York City Police Department has deployed more than 6,000 officers in the Times Square area, including more than 1,100 officers who graduated from the police academy on Tuesday.]({"default":{"load":"wait","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BBo6eAG.img?h=373&w=624&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f"}} "New York's Times Square Hosts Annual New Year's Eve Celebration - Andrew Burton/Getty Images")
![A child makes an angel in the confetti on the ground during New Year celebrations in the Manhattan borough of New York January 1, 2016.]({"default":{"load":"wait","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BBo6c2K.img?h=373&w=624&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f"}} "A child makes an angel in the confetti on the ground during New Year celebrations in the Manhattan. - Carlo Allegri/Reuters")
![A worker cleans up confetti and garbage after New Year celebrations in Times Square in the Manhattan borough of New York January 1, 2016.]({"default":{"load":"wait","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BBo6mmq.img?h=373&w=624&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f"}} "A worker cleans up confetti and garbage after New Year celebrations in Times Square. - Andrew Kelly/Reuters")
![People take part in celebrations at Times Square on January 1, 2016 in New York City. At least 6,000 police officers were deployed, including rooftop snipers, canine units and air and water patrols, in and around Times Square in Manhattan. Mayor Bill de Blasio declared New York to be "the best prepared city to prevent terrorism and to deal with any event that could occur."]({"default":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BBo6jsW.img?h=373&w=624&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f&x=1151&y=1155"} "New Year Celebrations at Times Square - Eduardo Munoz Alvarez/Getty Images")
![A couple kisses while ringing in the new year at Times Square, early Friday, Jan. 1, 2016, in New York.]({"default":{"load":"wait","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BBo6jp7.img?h=373&w=624&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f&x=884&y=1124"}} "New Year Celebrations at Times Square - Julio Cortez/AP Photo")
![Takanobu Nobori (L) and Shoko Toyama kiss to celebrate ringing in the new year in Times Square on January 1, 2016 in New York City. The New York City Police Department deployed more than 6,000 officers in the Times Square area, including more than 1,100 officers who graduated from the police academy on Tuesday.]({"default":{"load":"wait","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BBo6gRC.img?h=373&w=624&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f&x=1071&y=1168"}} "New Year Celebrations at Times Square - Andrew Burton/Getty Images")
![Women take a selfie to celebrate ringing in the new year in Times Square on January 1, 2016 in New York City. The New York City Police Department deployed more than 6,000 officers in the Times Square area, including more than 1,100 officers who graduated from the police academy on Tuesday.]({"default":{"load":"wait","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BBo6osb.img?h=373&w=624&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f&x=978&y=805"}} "New Year Celebrations at Times Square - Andrew Burton/Getty Images")
![Pedestrians submit to a search as they enter Times Square in New York, Thursday, Dec. 31, 2015. Around 1 million people are expected to converge on Times Square for the annual New Year's Eve celebration. This year's festivities will also be attended by nearly 6,000 New York City police officers, including members of a specialized counterterrorism unit.]({"default":{"load":"wait","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BBo5WoO.img?h=373&w=624&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f&x=445&y=235"}} "Pedestrians submit to a search as they enter Times Square in New York, Thursday, Dec. 31, 2015. Arou... - AP Photo/Seth Wenig")
![A child is lifted above the crowd during New Year celebrations in Times Square in the Manhattan borough of New York December 31, 2015. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly]({"default":{"load":"wait","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BBo6i3y.img?h=373&w=624&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f&x=1278&y=973"}} "A child is lifted above the crowd during New Year celebrations in Times Square in the Manhattan boro...")
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