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NEW YORK—In response to the recent incident involving an explosive device thrown outside the residence of Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani, the New York Police Department has rolled out a new public safety initiative requiring all protest-related explosives to undergo a mandatory inspection by the bomb squad prior to being thrown. Commissioner Jessica Tisch announced the policy change at a press briefing Monday, standing before a wall-sized flowchart detailing the new 'Pre-Throw Explosive Certification' process.

"Effective immediately, any individual or group intending to deploy an explosive device during a demonstration must first submit the device for analysis at one of our seven designated Pre-Throw Inspection Centers," Tisch explained, her tone measured and bureaucratic. "This will ensure that all devices meet minimum safety standards and are properly categorized before they enter the public sphere."

The new policy, dubbed 'Operation Clear Throw,' establishes a formal review process that includes a 15-point checklist covering device construction, explosive yield, and fragmentation potential. Inspections are expected to take between 45 minutes and three hours, depending on device complexity and queue length. Protesters will receive a dated certification sticker upon approval, which must be affixed to the device before it can be legally thrown.

"We're not in the business of prohibiting expression," Tisch emphasized. "We're simply ensuring that when expression involves potentially lethal explosives, those explosives are up to code. This is about responsible protest management."

The policy emerged after Saturday's clash between anti-Islam demonstrators and counterprotesters, during which an improvised explosive device was thrown outside Mamdani's home. The device, which Tisch confirmed was "not a hoax," prompted what she called "a thorough review of our protest explosives oversight gaps."

Two men arrested at the scene, Emir Balat and Ibrahim Kayumi, now face additional charges for failing to register their device pre-throw. Their case is being handled through a joint terrorism taskforce with federal prosecutors and the FBI.

NYPD Deputy Commissioner of Public Information Freddy Wexler elaborated on the operational details. "Protesters can schedule appointments online or walk in to our centers, which will operate extended hours during high-protest seasons," he said. "We've trained 200 additional bomb technicians specifically for this program, and we're using a new software called 'ThrowTrack' to manage the inspection queue."

The department has established inspection centers in each borough, with the busiest location expected to be in Manhattan near common protest routes. Each center features waiting areas, device drop-off windows, and secure testing ranges where technicians can safely examine the explosives.

"We've already seen tremendous cooperation from the protest community," Wexler added. "Just this morning, we processed fourteen pipe bombs, three Molotov cocktails, and one particularly creative pressure-cooker device at our Bronx location. All were properly documented and certified within our two-hour service window guarantee."

Civil liberties groups have questioned the logistical implications of the policy. Donna Felber, director of the New York Civil Liberties Union, expressed concern that "the city's new explosive certification system could inadvertently incentivize higher-yield devices, since protesters paying the $200 premium fee may feel entitled to more dramatic results."

But Tisch dismissed such concerns. "The alternative is unregulated explosive throwing, which is simply unacceptable in a modern city," she said. "We're giving protesters a clear pathway to responsible device deployment."

The policy includes a graduated fee structure based on device complexity, with simple incendiaries starting at $25 and more sophisticated explosives costing up to $200. Low-income protesters can apply for fee waivers through a new city program called 'Explosive Equity Access.'

Protest organizers seem divided on the new rules. Right-wing influencer Jake Lang, who led the anti-Islam demonstration, called the policy "a reasonable compromise." Meanwhile, counterprotest organizer Maria Gonzalez said it "adds an unnecessary layer of bureaucracy to spontaneous expression."

The department has allocated $4.3 million for the first year of the program, covering facility costs, technician training, and public awareness campaigns. Tisch said the investment will pay for itself in reduced emergency responses.

As for what happens if protesters throw uncertified devices, Tisch was clear: "That would be a violation of the administrative code, punishable by fines up to $5,000 and possible device confiscation. We take this very seriously."

The new inspection regime begins immediately, with a 30-day grace period for protesters to adapt to the requirements. After that, Tisch warned, the department will begin strict enforcement.

In a related development, the NYPD announced it is exploring a similar pre-approval process for protest signs containing potentially offensive language, though that initiative remains in the preliminary study phase. The bomb squad, however, is ready to process explosives starting today.

As Commissioner Tisch concluded her briefing, she reminded protesters that "certification stickers must be clearly visible on all thrown devices for our post-deployment audit teams. Obscured labels could result in compliance penalties."