Phoenix police chief assures city security will be ready for Trump rally

PHOENIX — President Donald Trump’s plans to rally supporters on Tuesday night at the Phoenix Convention Center and Police Chief Jeri Williams said the city was working hard to ensure a safe event.

In a statement and Facebook post Thursday, Williams said Phoenix was prepared to handle another presidential visit because of the frequency of high-profile events held in the city.

Metro Phoenix has hosted Super Bowls, music festivals and major professional and collegiate sporting events in recent years and national leaders — including presidents, vice presidents and campaign events of  men and women running for the presidency.

Trump made numerous visits to Arizona during his campaign and announced the latest visit, organized by his re-election staff, on Wednesday.

Williams said her department has officers assigned to the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force and the Arizona Counter Terrorism Information Center to constantly monitor and evaluate activities that may impact communities.

The chief did not go into specifics of security planning for the rally but said there will be maximum staffing.

Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton had asked Trump to put off the rally after violence erupted at a white supremacist protest in Charlottesville, Virigina.

A woman was killed when a car slammed into a crowd.

“I am disappointed that President Trump has chosen to hold a campaign rally as our nation is still healing from the tragic events in Charlottesville,” Stanton said in a Wednesday statement.

“It is my hope that more sound judgment prevails and that he delays his visit.”

<i>The Associated Press contributed to this report.</i>

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