San Francisco increases security for 2016 fireworks celebration

SAN FRANCISCO (KTVU) -- Tonight as thousands of people head to San Francisco’s waterfront for the big New Year’s spectacular, police say they’ve increased security this year.

SFPD has cancelled all days off for officers and both uniformed and plainclothes officers will be out in full force.

‘No parking’ signs and barricades are up along the Embarcadero for when the fireworks go off right at midnight.

The fireworks are on 2 barges. At 10:30 p.m., a tugboat will drag the barges, just south of the Ferry building.

The fireworks show over the San Francisco Embarcadero will last 15 minutes.

KTVU got a behind the scenes look as pyrotechnical crews were on the those two barges, still making the last of the 5,000 individual fireworks set to go off in San Francisco Bay.

“We've checked the weather reports and it is supposed to be really clear. There is always a chance in SF of shooting into the fog. No one likes that. We got really lucky,” said Zach Wetzel from Pyro Spectaculars By Souza.

A nearby hot-dog vendor says he’s hoping to sell out as the large crowd gathers.

Police will be on the lookout for public intoxication and any aggressive behavior, but they’ll also be keeping eyes peeled for potential acts of terrorism.

“We have more officers compared to year’s past because of the fact we've had serious incidents around the world— terrorism related in Paris and San Bernardino, so we have more officers out than in years past,” said SFPD spokesman Albie Esparza.

Meanwhile, Bay Area transit agencies are making it easy to travel around on New Year's eve.

BART will operate trains until 3 a.m. New Year's Day, with trains running every 20 minutes after midnight.

Certain trains will skip some San Francisco stations after 8 p.m. to help ease crowding.

BART will charge normal fares.

Other public transit, such as Muni, AC Transit, Caltrain, and the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority, will offer free rides from 8 p.m. until 5 a.m. Friday morning.

AAA will also offer its "Tipsy Tow" service.

From 6 p.m. Thursday, until 6 a.m. Friday, drivers can call for a free tow, even if they are not AAA members.

The service includes a one-way ride and tow to the driver's home, up to ten miles.

The number for Tipsy Tow is  800-AAA-HELP, or 800-222-4357.

Law enforcement, including the CHP, will be out in full force, especially looking for drunk drivers.