- Title: Tight security around Trump Tower may be scaring off Manhattan shoppers
- Date: 17th November 2016
- Summary: NEW YORK, NEW YORK, UNITED STATES (NOVEMBER 16, 2016) (REUTERS) ****WARNING CONTAINS PROFANITY*** ARMANI EXTERIOR 5 AV SIGN GUCCI EXTERIOR AND TRUMP TOWER VARIOUS OF TIFFANY & CO EXTERIOR AND TRUMP TOWER NEW YORK CITY MAYOR BILL DE BLASIO WALKING OUT OF TRUMP TOWER DE BLASIO STANDING OUTSIDE OF TRUMP TOWER (SOUNDBITE) (English) NEW YORK CITY MAYOR BILL DE BLASIO, SAYING: "I will not tell you that Gucci and Tiffany are my central concerns in life, but I will say the traffic situation is a very real problem and it's magnified of course because we are going into the holidays." DE BLASIO STANDING OUTSIDE OF TRUMP TOWER (SOUNDBITE) (English) NEW YORK CITY MAYOR BILL DE BLASIO, SAYING: "Obviously traffic in Midtown has to flow and obviously the president-elect and his entire team have to be protected." VARIOUS OF HEAVILY ARMED NYPD POLICE OUTSIDE OF TRUMP TOWER PEOPLE WALKING DOWN 5TH AVE (SOUNDBITE) (English) SALLY ECKHOFF, VISITOR FROM PENNSYLVANIA, SAYING: "What the hell is this? I've lived in Italy. The Carabinieri carry these giant guns, but why these guys?" (SOUNDBITE) (English) NANCY TOBIN, NEW YORKER, SAYING: "I think it's obscene. It's obscene. He can go to his place in Westchester and cozy up to his fancy, wealthy friends." (SOUNDBITE) (English) MARION SEXTON, NEW YORKER, SAYING: "It's going to definitely get worse once the holidays approach and there will be even more traffic, but it's something we're used to. It's something that we have to deal with - snow and traffic and some of the exciting things that happen in New York." BARRICADES AND POLICE VEHICLE VARIOUS OF BERGDORF GOODMAN EXTERIOR POLICE AND TRAFFIC (SOUNDBITE) (English) JOE, VISITOR FROM KENTUCKY, SAYING: "Oh no. It's kind of crazy. I kind of expected it because I saw it on the news and obviously Trump lives here so it's kind of crazy. But you kind of take a breath and inhale it, think about it and just go on." EXTERIOR OF TRUMP TOWER AND ATRIUM NYPD POST AND ATRIUM OBICA CAFE AND GENERAL MANAGER DOMINIC AMATO (SOUNDBITE) (English) OBICA GENERAL MANAGER DOMINIC AMATO, SAYING: "Especially Wednesday and Thursday, they were searching everybody that came into the area. Trump Tower completely closed to the public and we get a lot of our tourists that way. They come through Trump Tower, they want to see what's past the doors and find us. With all the security that's been beefed up, a lot of people are staying away." PEOPLE IN OBICA (SOUNDBITE) (English) OBICA GENERAL MANAGER DOMINIC AMATO, SAYING: "Down 20 percent. Down 20 percent across the board, which is not good. (REPORTER ASKING - "How long can you afford to be down?") "Not long. Not long at all. Hopefully, after the beginning of the year, he moves out and we get back to normal." NYPD BARRICADES IN THE STREET
- Embargoed: 2nd December 2016 00:41
- Keywords: Trump election business security New York
- Location: NEW YORK, NEW YORK, UNITED STATES
- City: NEW YORK, NEW YORK, UNITED STATES
- Country: USA
- Topics: Government/Politics,Elections/Voting
- Reuters ID: LVA00158P4O5J
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: **EDIT CONTAINS PROFANE LANGUAGE IN SOUNDBITE #12**
Since the election of Donald Trump for U.S. President, heightened security around Trump Tower in Midtown Manhattan has caused heavy traffic and headaches for commuters, shoppers and for people who live and work in the area.
The New York Police Department (NYPD) has set up metal and concrete barricades in front of Trump Tower on Fifth Avenue and has closed one of the streets near the building to pedestrian and vehicular traffic.
As heavily armed police officers stand guard outside Trump Tower, some neighboring luxury stores have complained that the added security is hampering their business.
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio addressed the concerns during a news conference on Wednesday (November 16).
"I will not tell you that Gucci and Tiffany are my central concerns in life, but I will say the traffic situation is a very real problem and it's magnified of course because we are going into the holidays." He added, "Obviously traffic in Midtown has to flow and obviously the president-elect and his entire team have to be protected."
The level of security came as a surprise to some passersby as they maneuvered around barricades and through security checkpoints.
"What the hell is this?" asked tourist Sally Eckhoff. "I've lived in Italy. The Carabinieri carry these giant guns, but why these guys?"
"I think it's obscene," said New Yorker Nancy Tobin. "It's obscene. He can go to his place in Westchester and cozy up to his fancy, wealthy friends."
Others took it all in stride.
"It's going to definitely get worse once the holidays approach and there will be even more traffic, but it's something we're used to. It's something that we have to deal with - snow and traffic and some of the exciting things that happen in New York," said New Yorker Marion Sexton.
While the mayor offered little sympathy for the plight of luxury retailers, smaller businesses in the area are also being adversely affected.
Dominic Amato, the general manager of Obica, a cafe located in the atrium behind Trump Tower, said his business began losing customers the day after the election.
"Especially Wednesday and Thursday, (NYPD) were searching everybody that came into the area. Trump Tower completely closed to the public and we get a lot of our tourists that way. They come through Trump Tower, they want to see what's past the doors and find us. With all the security that's been beefed up, a lot of people are staying away."
Amato said business at the cafe is down 20 percent. "Hopefully, after the beginning of the year, he moves out and we get back to normal."
City officials said they expect heavy security around Trump Tower at least through January. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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