Crime & Safety
Donald Trump in San Diego: 'Significant' Police Presence Planned
"We are well prepared to respond," said police Chief Shelley Zimmerman about Trump's rally this Friday at the San Diego Convention Center.
SAN DIEGO, CA: Police Chief Shelley Zimmerman vowed Wednesday that law enforcement will tolerate no violence, disruptive behavior or unlawful acts when presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump holds a campaign rally at the San Diego Convention Center on Friday.
"For anyone who comes to disrupt, to do illegal activities, we will take swift and decisive action to make sure we have a peaceful event," Zimmerman told news crews outside downtown SDPD headquarters.
The department plans to have a "significant presence" of uniformed and plainclothes officers at the mid-afternoon bayside gathering and has coordinated with state, local and federal agencies to promptly put a stop to any combative or destructive protesters or counter-protesters, the chief said.
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We want everyone to know @SanDiegoPD has contingency plans in place for Friday's visit by Mr. Trump to make sure it is safe for everyone.
— Shelley Zimmerman (@ChiefZimmerman) May 25, 2016
The city has designated demonstration zones — one for Trump supporters and another for those who oppose the 69-year-old billionaire real estate magnate's presidential bid — on the northwest and southeast sides of the Harbor Drive center and will strictly enforce attendees' comportment while ensuring their constitutional free-speech rights, Zimmerman told reporters.
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"And we are well prepared to respond," she said.
Zimmerman declined to disclose details of the planned enforcement strategies.
On Tuesday night, violence broke out at a Trump rally in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Several police officers were injured by rocks thrown by protesters, some of whom also hurled bottles and stones at police horses. At least one person was arrested.
During an appearance at the Anaheim Convention Center Wednesday afternoon, some attendees hurled bottles at police, and others tried to climb over a barrier, prompting police to declare an unlawful assembly and begin attempts to disperse the crowd. At least two people were taken into custody.
It was Trump's first visit to Orange County since April 28, when his appearance in Costa Mesa sparked protests that turned violent and resulted in 17 arrests.
— By Ken Fields, City News Service
(Image via Gage Skidmore/Flickr)
