NYPD to deploy thousands of cops, drones, and more along NYC Marathon route

The Big Apple will be laced up.The NYPD is deploying thousands of officers across the five boroughs this weekend to help keep the largest New York City Marathon field in history safe.The heavy patrol will include helicopters, drones, thousands of police barricades and more along the 26.2-mile route — which officials lined with colorful strips of paint Wednesday.

“New Yorkers will see an increased police presence, with thousands of NYPD officers posted along the entire route, from Staten Island to the Bronx, to right here in Central Park,” NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said Wednesday.“They will be supported by specialized units across the department, including our emergency service unit, mounted, canine, harbor,  aviation, and, of course, our bomb squad.”Tisch and other officials ceremoniously painted a portion of the route in pink, blue and orange, but runners can expect to follow the colorful lines throughout the entire route, with leaders saying it takes 55 gallons of paint to complete.More than 10,000 metal barricades are to be erected in popular areas for marathon viewing — like Manhattan’s First Avenue, where the roaring dense crowds greet races as they peel off the Queensboro Bridge and hit their third borough of the race.Officers will also be actively monitoring traffic cameras along the routes, as well as social media for any potential threats.“Thousands” of officers and patrol cars will also be stationed on the ground, while helicopters and drones will patrol the skies.“At this time, there are no known specific credible threats to this year’s marathon,” she said.Tisch said the NYPD has been planning their security patrol for “months,” but couldn’t say whether it would make for the largest presence in the city’s marathon history.More than 60,000 runners will hit the pavement starting at 8 a.m.

Sunday, with another 2 million spectators and cheerleaders expected to line the 26.2-mile route.It’s the most runners the annual...