Burlington raises concerns over Trump event

Vermonters who plan to see Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speak on Thursday should prepare for "airport-like" security and sizable crowds after the campaign issued tickets for more than 10 times the number of available seats, the Flynn Center's executive director says.

“We’ve been working with the Secret Service very carefully along with the Burlington Police Department,” said John Killacky, whose 1,400-seat theater is playing host to Trump's evening speech.

Outside the venue, city officials are concerned after learning the Trump campaign issued far more free tickets than there are available seats. As of midday Wednesday, police said the campaign had distributed about 20,000.

“I wonder if the Trump campaign took into account the safety of the police officers who have to contend with large, dissatisfied crowds,” Burlington Police Chief Brandon del Pozo said. “This situation would place police officers in needless confrontations with citizenry.”

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Del Pozo said the fact that the event provides residents the opportunity to listen to a major political candidate is the only reason police are allowing Trump to speak as scheduled.

“If Phish was holding a free concert at the Flynn and gave away 20,000 free tickets, we would cancel the event out of public safety concerns,” the chief said. “We are committed to accommodating the campaign because political speech is the very essence of the First Amendment.”

Trump, the New York businessman who leads national polls for his party's nomination for president, booked the Flynn on Dec. 30. He is scheduled to deliver a speech at 7 p.m. Burlington police also will limit traffic and parking around the Flynn Center on Thursday, the department said.

“It’s open seating, so it’s first-come, first-served,” Killacky said.

For his part, Trump tweeted excitement about Thursday's speech.

"Huge crowd expected tomorrow night! VT Police say first come, first serve. Arrive early," he wrote on Twitter — though he failed to mention the reason for the first-come, first-serve policy was the over-ticketing of the venue.

Playing host to a major political party's leading presidential candidate presents a unique security challenge for the Flynn Center and for Burlington. Killacky said the U.S. Secret Service, whose agents protect national leaders and presidential candidates, will take the lead on security during Trump's visit.

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Officials concerned

Police Chief del Pozo said of the 20,000 tickets distributed, the Trump campaign told police to expect about 6,500 people to show up at the theater. Del Pozo stopped short of calling the campaign irresponsible, but he said Trump's staff have refused to accept responsibility for ticket-holders who are denied entry.

Trump campaign spokeswoman Hope Hicks did not respond to a request for comment.

Mayor Miro Weinberger commended police for informing the public about potential crowding downtown Thursday. Weinberger said the city's public safety employees are prepared to handle large crowds, but he is perplexed why the Trump campaign has yet to articulate a plan to accommodate ticket-holders who are barred entry.

“Their attitude is, what happens outside the venue is someone else’s responsibility,” Weinberger said of Trump's campaign. “It’s not the way I would treat my supporters, people coming to an event of mine.”

Weinberger released the following statement late Wednesday:

“Vermonters value the First Amendment and robust political debate. In that spirit, I welcome Donald Trump and his presidential campaign to Burlington tomorrow.

“I am concerned, however, that the dramatic over-ticketing of the rally could mar Mr. Trump's visit.  Since learning the facts of the ticketing situation late Tuesday, we have repeatedly expressed concern and encouraged the campaign to take steps to better manage the event.   There is still time for the campaign to communicate with the thousands of ticket holders to reduce the possibility of inconvenience or a public safety risk for attendees tomorrow night. I urge the Trump Campaign to take responsible steps to ensure the event proceeds smoothly and without incident."

Weinberger said he is uninterested in attending the rally but will monitor the crowds from City Hall, across the street from the theater.

Weinberger said the Trump campaign will pay for some costs associated with the rally.

Brian Lowe, Weinberger's chief of staff, said Burlington will send the Trump campaign a bill for extra labor for city public-safety employees due to Thursday's rally.

Lowe said City Hall has yet to estimate what that sum might be, but it likely will total thousands of dollars.

"We think it would be appropriate for us to ask for the additional costs," Lowe said.

Burlington sent an invoice to Barack Obama's presidential campaign after a 2012 campaign stop at the University of Vermont, Lowe said. Obama never paid.

Street and parking rules

Killacky said Flynn patrons should expect to pass through body scanners and surrender bags for inspection. Items such as knives, bottled liquids and signs will be prohibited.

“If you can’t bring it on an airplane, you can’t bring it into the theater,” Killacky said.

Instead of the Flynn Center box office, the Trump campaign is distributing tickets for the event through an online link.

Police said the line for entry will snake west from the theater and then south on St. Paul street.The Flynn will open the doors at 5 p.m. and admit ticket holders until the city fire marshal declares the venue full, Killacky said.

Burlington Deputy Police Chief Bruce Bovat said the department is working with the Secret Service to ensure Trump's visit goes smoothly. Bovat said police want to balance the right of Trump supporters to hear their candidate with protesters' desire to express their anger with the controversial businessman.

“Our goals are that people either come and support Mr. Trump or voice their opinion in a productive and reasonable way, and that people will present themselves in an orderly manner,” Bovat said.

Bovat said more officers will be on duty than normal Thursday. He said residents should expect to see a police presence similar to First Night or the Burlington City Marathon.

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Police on Wednesday announced road closures for the day of the rally. From noon until midnight Thursday, no parking will be allowed on Main Street between Church and St. Paul streets. The east side of St. Paul Street between Main and College streets will be reserved for media vehicles. No parking will be allowed on Church Street from Main to King streets.

Except for emergency vehicles, the block of Main Street in front of the Flynn Theater will be closed to vehicles and bicycles beginning at 1 p.m. The ability for vehicles to turn right from South Winooski Avenue onto Main Street "will be limited," police said.

Police encourage residents to rely on Pearl Street when traveling east or west in the city.

Contact Zach Despart at 651-4826 or zdespart@burlingtonfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/ZachDespart.