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Thousands ring in 2018 at the Peach Drop in Atlanta

By Wendy Halloran and Lauren Pozen, WSB-TV
By Wendy Halloran and Lauren Pozen, WSB-TV

ATLANTA — Thousands of revelers rang in the new year at the Peach Drop during its first year in Woodruff Park.

Entertainers TLC, Jeezy and Tyrese performed for thousands bundled up on the chilly New Year's Eve night.

PHOTOS: Atlanta rings in 2018 with parties across town

"I have lived here my entire life, and I have never seen the peach drop before. I thought what the heck,” one person told Pozen about taking the chance to join in on the festivities.

For 28 years, the city has hosted an all-day party each New Year’s Eve at Underground, featuring bands, food, confetti and the ceremonial lowering of the 800-pound peach from a tower above the plaza.

“I haven’t seen it this cold in about three to four years. It is crazy. It is cold but everyone is going to have fun,” another reveler told us.

Officials with the Atlanta Police Department told Channel 2 Action News when it comes to security, they're not taking any chances, especially with recent deadly attacks at outdoor events this year.

"When we see something happening anywhere throughout the world, our first thing to do with the team is to come together and come up with strategies to prevent those types of events," said Assistant Police Chief Rodney Bryant.

There’s little doubt New Year's Eve revelers will be met with tight security. There will be four specific entrances to the park and anyone who enters is subject to being searched.

With so many major events, Atlanta police are out in full force, according to Deputy Chief Scott Kreher.

"We have 12-hour shifts. Everyone from our administrative officers to our most seasoned veterans are out protecting the citizens tonight,” Kreher said.

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Channel 2's Wendy Halloran visited Atlanta Police Department's Joint Operations Center where law enforcement and emergency partners worked together in one room.

“Communications, electronic, video all over the city, just to make sure that if we have any emergency we have everyone in the same room,” Kreher said.

In the room next door, the FBI and the GBI make up the central nervous system for the city.

"We feel confident that those intelligence reports are gonna be very thorough and going on all night long," Kreher said.

Cox Media Group

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