NEW YORK - The New York City Police Department is urging New Yorkers to celebrate New Year's Eve at home as crowds will not be allowed to watch the ball drop in Times Square this year.

Speaking to reporters outside 1 Police Plaza Wednesday, Chief of Department Terence Monahan said this year will look "completely different" and that New Yorkers and tourists who would normally descend on the Crossroads of the World will have to observe the festivities virtually.

"My message to those ringing in the New Year please stay at home," Monahan added. "There are absolutely no spectators allowed in Times Square. There are no public fireworks in Coney Island and there is no midnight run in Central Park."

The chief reiterated that pedestrians will be told to keep moving even if they try to catch a glimpse of the iconic display from surrounding streets which will be blocked off.

The NYPD says the department will still be deploying protective assets, though the massive number of officers usually assigned to Times Square to protect crowds inside the barricade pens will not be necessary.

Police say frozen zones will be set up around Times Square and secure entry points will be in place to scan all production crews and talent coming in and out through the evening.

Beginning at 12 a.m. Thursday, vehicular and pedestrian traffic will be suspended from 45th to 49th streets between sixth and eighth avenues.

Starting at 3 p.m. Thursday, the frozen zone will expand to include an area from 41st to 49th streets between sixth and eighth avenues.

The NYPD says while there are no credible or active threats, they have been monitoring the investigation into the RV explosion that rocked downtown Nashville on Christmas Day.