Given the violence sparked along the parade route in recent years, the police presence on the ground and in the air is aimed at keeping the crowd safe for this year's celebration.

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.— New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced that the Every Block Counts program has made a positive impact on five Staten Island streets known for high crime rates.

The move from a “paramilitary mindset” to a more service-oriented model is the goal of a five-year strategic plan, Commissioner Kevin Bethel said.