POUGHKEEPSIE – Police were out in full force and key parts of Poughkeepsie were shut down for several hours on Sunday, to prepare for presidential candidate Donald Trump’s pep rally at the Civic Center on Market Street.
Mayor Robert Rolison told the Common Council Monday night things could not have gone better.
“We had 37 officers and one extra police dispatcher in our command post out on the aprons that were deployed for the event,” Rolison said. “We also were assisted by the State Police, the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office, the Town of Poughkeepsie PD, even the TSA was involved in screening people coming through the doors.”
There were also hazmat teams on standby.
`The mayor noted there were no arrests or serious incidents of any kind.
“It does show you what this city can do literally in a moment’s notice.”
Rolison said it probably didn’t hurt business, even though Market and Main Streets were shut down much of the day. The estimated 5,000 people that showed up likely were hungry, meaning business for area eateries.
