The horrific events in Australia serve as a stark, immediate, and tragic reminder of the persistent, lethal threat of antisemitic terrorism. New York City, however, is not a place where such hatred will be tolerated or where celebrations of faith will be surrendered to fear.
Stone Security Service, NYPD Counter-Terrorism, and the Joint Terrorism Task Force, along with DHS will be securing Manhattan Menorah Lighting Sunday December 14, 2025 @ Central Park on 59 Street across from the world famous Plaza hotel: This will continue daily for the next 8 days.
The annual Hanukkah Menorah lighting in Manhattan is a profoundly symbolic and high-profile public event, particularly in the current global climate. To ensure the safety of every attendee, the security operation transcends the efforts of a single agency, requiring a seamless and highly integrated partnership between private sector experts and elite public law enforcement.
At the forefront of this crucial collaboration are Stone Security Service and its founder, David Stone, working in direct concert with the NYPD Counter-Terrorism Bureau (CTB) and the Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF). This statement outlines the strategic framework of this unified security effort, detailing the deployment of advanced screening technologies and specialized K9 units to mitigate threats and ensure a secure, joyous celebration.
The cornerstone of security for this event is the principle of “One Team, One Mission.” David Stone, leveraging his extensive background—often drawn from his time within or alongside the NYPD—provides the critical link between private security expertise and the vast intelligence and operational capabilities of the public agencies. Stone Security Service is not merely a vendor; they are an integrated force multiplier.
David Stone’s specific value-add stems from his firm’s specialization in high-profile event and protective services in New York City, which requires an intimate, street-level understanding of operational security, crowd dynamics, and tactical deployment. His personnel, often comprised of active and retired NYPD officers and professionals with military or Secret Service experience, bring a level of training and discipline that facilitates immediate integration with the NYPD’s chain of command.
Liaison and Command: Mr. Stone acts as the primary liaison between his team and the NYPD/JTTF command post. This ensures that real-time intelligence from the JTTF is immediately cascaded down to the frontline security checkpoints managed by Stone Security.
Operational Standardization: Stone Security’s protocols are rigorously pre-vetted and harmonized with the NYPD’s standard operating procedures (SOPs) for counter-terrorism events. This eliminates friction and ambiguity during an emergency response.
Layered Defense Planning: The entire security plan—from the outer perimeter managed by uniformed NYPD to the inner screening zones managed by Stone—is co-developed. This creates a multi-layered defense-in-depth strategy designed to detect, deter, and delay any hostile action well before it reaches the core celebration area.
Advanced Screening Protocols:
New Age AI integrated walk through Metal Detectors and Crowd Flow
The plan mandates the strategic deployment of USA-style walk-through metal detectors as the primary access control mechanism for the event perimeter. This physical barrier serves multiple purposes: deterrence, detection, and crowd management. This new technology for High-Volume Screening: Stone Security is responsible for the efficient manning and operation of these checkpoints. The WTMDs are set to a sensitivity level designed to detect common threat items (e.g., firearms, large knives) while maintaining a flow that prevents bottlenecks, which themselves can become security liabilities.
Staff Training: Stone Security personnel manning the detectors are trained not only in the technical operation of the equipment but also in behavioral analysis—identifying individuals exhibiting signs of stress, evasion, or hostile intent (known as pretext and anomaly detection).
Secondary Screening: In the event of an alarm, Stone’s highly trained staff immediately direct the individual to a clearly marked, discreet secondary screening area. This process involves the use of handheld metal detectors (wands) and, where necessary, non-intrusive bag searches, all conducted with professional courtesy and respect for civil rights, a non-negotiable directive from the NYPD.
Integration with NYPD/JTTF Intelligence:
Watchlist Coordination: The access points are supported by NYPD personnel who have the capability to run background or facial recognition checks against persons of interest, drawing on the JTTF’s national counter-terrorism intelligence network.
Any prohibited item—especially those that might indicate a larger threat—is immediately escalated. A potential firearm or large weapon requires an immediate, specific response involving on-site, heavily armed NYPD officers, who are stationed adjacent to all screening portals.
K9 Explosive Detection Teams: The Non-Intrusive Edge
The use of K9 explosive detection teams is a non-negotiable layer of the counter-terrorism strategy. These specialized assets provide a vital, mobile, and non-intrusive method of detecting the single greatest threat at a public gathering: improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
Deployment and Coordination:
NYPD K9 Units: The K9s deployed are almost exclusively from the NYPD’s highly trained Canine Unit. These dogs are certified in Explosive Trace Detection (ETD) and are regularly trained in complex, real-world environments.
Pre-Event Sweeps: Stone Security coordinates with NYPD/CTB Bomb Squad personnel to execute a comprehensive, pre-event sweep of the entire site, including surrounding vehicles, street furniture, and infrastructure, before the public is allowed entry. This establishes a “clean zone.”
Sustained Patrols: During the event, K9 teams conduct sustained, random patrols outside the screening perimeter and within the crowd itself. A K9 alert triggers a highly rehearsed response: Stone Security personnel create a cordon to isolate the area and manage the crowd, while the NYPD Bomb Squad or ESU (Emergency Service Unit) takes the lead on device mitigation and threat assessment.
Deterrence and Psychological Effect:
The visible presence of uniformed NYPD officers and K9 teams works as a powerful psychological deterrent. It broadcasts a clear message: the venue is protected, and any attempt at hostile action will be met with immediate and overwhelming force. David Stone’s team supports this visibility by maintaining a professional, alert, and proactive posture at all assigned posts.
The JTTF Intelligence Fusion
While Stone Security handles the physical security at the perimeter, the Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) provides the critical, invisible layer of pre-emptive threat intelligence. The JTTF, a multi-agency body that includes the FBI, NYPD detectives, and other federal partners, acts as the brain of the operation.
Threat Analysis: Prior to the lighting, JTTF and the Stone Security Special analysts have conducted an exhaustive threat assessment specific to the event, the location, and the current threat environment, including the potential for “lone wolf” or foreign-directed terrorism.
Information Sharing: The intelligence—which may include global threat streams, monitoring of extremist chatter, or specific warnings—is funneled directly to the NYPD Counter-Terrorism Bureau. The CTB, in turn, briefs David Stone and his security command staff to ensure all eyes on the ground are looking for the right indicators.
The Menorah lighting security plan is a masterclass in public-private partnership. David Stone and Stone Security Service effectively bridge the gap between high-volume operational security and world-class counter-terrorism intelligence. By integrating their teams, their technology (metal detectors), and the NYPD’s highly specialized K9 units, the three entities create an impenetrable security envelope, ensuring that the Festival of Lights remains a celebration of faith, resilience, and safety in the heart of Manhattan.