Dangers of presidential visits

April 22, 2024

Written by Barrett Seaman—

President Biden is coming to Irvington. This is interesting, at least for local Democrats. For some, he's writing four-figure and even five-figure checks to attend his 25th private fundraiser this Thursday.^th. It's also exciting for many Irvington residents, who will be basking in the glow of a presidential visit to a village of fewer than 6,500 people for at least a few hours.

It will cost you at least a few hours, according to someone who has accompanied the U.S. president on dozens of visits to communities at home and abroad.

I say this based on my experience covering the past five years of President Ronald Reagan as Time Magazine's White House correspondent. I accompanied Mikhail Gorbachev to all four summit meetings. I was there when he moved the audience to tears as he paid tribute to the fallen American soldiers on the beaches of Normandy. I was there when he campaigned in places like Orange County, California, Wichita, Kansas, and major cities like Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York.

These large cities, and even smaller ones, can absorb the impact of a presidential visit. This includes pre-spawning by teams from the Secret Service, who direct the efforts of local, county, and state law enforcement personnel to close roads and, if necessary, entire neighborhoods.

I remember once when President Reagan visited New York City for an event, he rode in a motorcade from Newark Liberty Airport, where Air Force One landed, to midtown Manhattan. The trip took about 15 minutes, and he didn't have one until around 10 a.m. when he drove up FDR Drive. It takes planning and enforcement.

So what happens when Biden comes to Irvington? There are some early indicators. The Irvington Police Department issued an advisory Monday saying “significant traffic impacts are expected from mid-afternoon through rush hour.” “Additionally, several major thoroughfares in Westchester County will be subject to long-term closures, further impacting traffic on secondary roads.”

Another hint: Irvington schools announced they would send K-12 students home at noon to avoid spilling out of school just as the president's entourage arrived.

The event (lunch, cocktails, tea?) will take place in the village on Fargo Lane in Irvington, as famous actors and Irvington residents Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones are listed as organizers of the fundraising event. There is a widespread belief that it may take place in their homes. A lush enclave in Matheisen Park. But by Tuesday, five invited donors had been contacted. hudson independent They were not exactly sure where and at what time they were expected.

Keeping such details tightly held (no doubt inspired by the Secret Service) makes sense as a way to prevent gapers from clogging up neighborhoods. But that stretch of Broadway is notoriously difficult even in normal times. Those who remember the fashion show that took place at Villa Lewaro (corner of Broadway and Fargo Lane) in July 2021 may recall the traffic jam that followed that event as likely to occur while Biden is in town. People will look back on it as comparable to the Indy 500 in comparison. .

There is a possibility that Mr. Biden will land on the Douglas/Zeta-Jones front lawn aboard the presidential helicopter Marine One, but there will be a multi-vehicle convoy on the ground and road closures to deal with any unforeseen circumstances. would need to be done. All roads and passageways, including aqueducts.

Anyone other than those invited to the event would be advised to stay away from the area on Thursday. If you live in a village, please stay home. If not, stay away until the coast is clear.

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