Taipei to deploy 1,300 police officers for New Year's Eve event

Taipei, Dec. 29 (CNA) The Taipei City Police Department said Monday that it will step up security for the city's New Year's Eve event in front of Taipei City Hall, deploying more than 1,300 officers and two explosive-detection dogs following a deadly attack earlier this month.

The Dec. 19 attack, carried out by a lone perpetrator at MRT Taipei Main Station and MRT Zhongshan Station, left four people dead, including the attacker, and injured 11 others.

Since then, several people have been arrested nationwide for making online threats related to similar attacks.

Lee Hsien-tsang (李憲蒼), chief of the department's Xinyi Precinct, said at a press conference that 27 rapid-response teams equipped with ammunition, tasers and protective gear will be deployed to handle emergencies.

He said the precinct has also requested 40 officers from the National Police Agency's Special Operations Group to conduct inspections and patrols.

To prevent crowd crushes, 15 crowd-control teams will be stationed in high-traffic areas and equipped with megaphones, loudspeakers and drones.

The teams will intervene in cases of jostling or falls and coordinate with medical units when necessary, Lee said. Unapproved drones will be forced to land to ensure airspace safety, he added.

Police will use the main stage's broadcast system to guide evacuations in the event of a major emergency. Traffic restrictions will be lifted in stages after the event, and additional patrols will be deployed in the Xinyi Shopping District to manage post-event crowds.

Command and lighting vehicles will be stationed at the venue, while large police vehicles will guard the perimeter against potential threats, including vehicle-ramming attacks. Drugs, bladed objects, firearms and explosives are strictly prohibited, Lee said.

Meanwhile, the Taipei Rapid Transit Corp. said it will increase patrols and surveillance at major stations, step up drills for indiscriminate attacks and activate standard operating procedures if serious safety incidents occur.

The company urged passengers to stay alert, report suspicious activity and follow evacuation instructions if necessary.