Va. law enforcement leaders ‘confident’ in public safety coverage plans for future campaign rallies

Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump is rushed offstage during a rally on July 13, 2024 in Butler, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

Former President Donald Trump rallied in Chesapeake, Virginia about two weeks before a nationally-televised assassination attempt at a Pennsylvania rally left him and two others wounded, and one person dead.

While it’s unclear whether there will be more presidential rallies here before the November election, amid heightened public safety concerns, local and state police agencies plan to continue collaborating with federal agencies to ensure the safety of all participants.

“This political violence is very scary for so many people and it really rattled the nation in so many ways,” said Tim Barney, a University of Richmond professor who specializes in rhetoric and communication studies.

He added that Virginia is going to be looking to law enforcement to “step up their game” and to do “the good work that they always do in protecting us, but to be extra careful in this heightened rhetorical arena.”

Trump rallies in Chesapeake, backed by Virginia governor, GOP leaders

Last month, Trump’s campaign traveled to Chesapeake for a star-studded rally that included Gov. Glenn Youngkin, Attorney General Jason Miyares, and former Republican Govs. Bob McDonnell and George Allen, and U.S. Rep. Jen Kiggans, who represents the second congressional district.

No safety issues related to violence were reported from the event; the biggest threat of the day was the scorching temperature.

More than 200 members of the public who attended the event were provided treatment on-site for heat-related issues, according to Heath Covey, a spokesperson for the City of Chesapeake. Covey said seven people were transported to local medical facilities.

The event was also staffed with more than 100 members of the Chesapeake Police and Fire Departments. Additionally, more than 50 Chesapeake Sheriff’s Office personnel, along with additional support from the Virginia Beach and Norfolk Sheriff’s offices, were involved.

While county police and sheriff’s offices have jurisdiction over their respective counties and towns, the Virginia State Police have jurisdiction across the entire commonwealth. However in cases such as presidential campaign visits, it’s been the practice of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to combine efforts.

John Jones, executive director for the Virginia Sheriff’s Association, said partnering with other agencies provides “maximum coverage” to protect the public and “that is not going to change” in the future, including for a future campaign rally.

“I’m confident that we will be there as a partner, we will be cooperating with all the law enforcement agencies involved and will do everything in our means to ensure the safety of the public,” Jones said.

Bill Carrico, a former state senator and executive board member of the Virginia State Police Association, said the way Virginia police agencies handled the Chesapeake rally exemplified why he trustsVirginia’s law enforcement to handle large presidential events.

“We [the police association] have an organization that prides themselves on not letting things happen to individuals,” Carrico said. “I can assure you that the Secret Service probably understands when they come to Virginia, that our agency is going to be looking at these [operation] plans, and would have [to] push back if they think that something is left unattended,” said Carrico.

The Trump campaigns has not revealed whether any events are scheduled in Virginia before election day on Nov. 5. President Joe Biden ended his presidential reelection campaign Sunday, and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to replace him as the Democratic nominee. There are no known events in Virginia scheduled for Harris as the presumptive presidential nominee.

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