Tight security measures, crowds begin to arrive ahead of Donald Trump rally in Nassau County
Posted on 09/18/2024
NASSAU COUNTY, Long Island (WABC) -- Just days after the second apparent attempt on former President Donald Trump's life in Florida over the weekend, the Republican nominee for president will hold a campaign rally in Nassau County.
The former president spent the night at Trump Tower under enhanced Secret Service protection ahead of the 7 p.m. rally at Nassau Coliseum on Wednesday.
The Nassau Coliseum parking lot underwent a security sweep overnight. Police kicked out several vendors and people who tried to camp out.
Law enforcement officials knocked down social media posts falsely reporting that explosives had been found in a car near the planned rally on Wednesday morning.
Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder said police questioned and detained a person who "may have been training a bomb detection dog," near the site of the rally and "falsely reported explosives being found."
Lt. Scott Skrynecki, a spokesperson for the county police, said in follow-up messages that the person, who police have not yet identified, was a civilian and not a member of a law enforcement agency.
He also said the person was not working at or affiliated with the event, which is expected to draw thousands of Trump supporters to the arena that was formerly the home of the NHL's New York Islanders.
More than 60,000 tickets were requested for the rally. The facility only seats 16,000, the rest will watch on large screens outside, described as a tailgate-type experience.
People were already lining up well ahead of the 8 a.m. parking lot opening time.
The rally is Trump's first on Long Island, a suburban area just east of New York City, since 2017.
Hempstead Turnpike is expected to remain open through the day, but motorists and residents should expect heavier than usual traffic starting at 3 p.m.
Traffic is expected to be heaviest near Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum between Hempstead Turnpike, Charles Lindbergh Boulevard, Earle Ovington Boulevard, and Glen Curtiss Boulevard.
Anyone without business in the area is asked to stay away starting Wednesday afternoon.
Police will help nearby residents access their homes
Several protests are scheduled for a designated "Free Speech Zone" on the sidewalk along Hempstead Turnpike, just west of the main entrance.
The following items are not allowed to be brought to the rally:
Drones, aerosols, alcohol, appliances, backpacks or roller bags, no bag larger than 12 x 14 x 5 and it must be clear, balloons, balls, poles, sticks, banners, signs, placards, chairs, coolers, e-cigarettes, firearms, glass, thermal containers, airhorns, whistles and bullhorns.
ALSO READ: 7 On Your Side helps utility worker get retirement money owed by ex-employer
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The former president spent the night at Trump Tower under enhanced Secret Service protection ahead of the 7 p.m. rally at Nassau Coliseum on Wednesday.
The Nassau Coliseum parking lot underwent a security sweep overnight. Police kicked out several vendors and people who tried to camp out.
Law enforcement officials knocked down social media posts falsely reporting that explosives had been found in a car near the planned rally on Wednesday morning.
Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder said police questioned and detained a person who "may have been training a bomb detection dog," near the site of the rally and "falsely reported explosives being found."
Lt. Scott Skrynecki, a spokesperson for the county police, said in follow-up messages that the person, who police have not yet identified, was a civilian and not a member of a law enforcement agency.
He also said the person was not working at or affiliated with the event, which is expected to draw thousands of Trump supporters to the arena that was formerly the home of the NHL's New York Islanders.
More than 60,000 tickets were requested for the rally. The facility only seats 16,000, the rest will watch on large screens outside, described as a tailgate-type experience.
People were already lining up well ahead of the 8 a.m. parking lot opening time.
The rally is Trump's first on Long Island, a suburban area just east of New York City, since 2017.
Hempstead Turnpike is expected to remain open through the day, but motorists and residents should expect heavier than usual traffic starting at 3 p.m.
Traffic is expected to be heaviest near Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum between Hempstead Turnpike, Charles Lindbergh Boulevard, Earle Ovington Boulevard, and Glen Curtiss Boulevard.
Anyone without business in the area is asked to stay away starting Wednesday afternoon.
Police will help nearby residents access their homes
Several protests are scheduled for a designated "Free Speech Zone" on the sidewalk along Hempstead Turnpike, just west of the main entrance.
The following items are not allowed to be brought to the rally:
Drones, aerosols, alcohol, appliances, backpacks or roller bags, no bag larger than 12 x 14 x 5 and it must be clear, balloons, balls, poles, sticks, banners, signs, placards, chairs, coolers, e-cigarettes, firearms, glass, thermal containers, airhorns, whistles and bullhorns.
ALSO READ: 7 On Your Side helps utility worker get retirement money owed by ex-employer
----------
* More Long Island news
* Send us a news tip
* Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts
* Follow us on YouTube
Submit a tip or story idea to Eyewitness News
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