WILDWOOD – On Jan. 6, the City of Wildwood learned that it would be cast in the national news, as President Donald J. Trump would be coming to the Wildwoods Convention Center for a “Keep America Great Rally ” Jan. 28.
According to a release, the planning for this monumental undertaking began immediately, and requests for both manpower and equipment were made across the state through our Office of Emergency Management partnerships.
On Jan. 26, while setting up for this event, the first attendees began to arrive to ensure their spot to see the 45th president of the United States.
On Jan. 28, large crowds began to enter the Wildwoods Convention Center until reaching its capacity at just over 7,000 attendees. This still left large crowds remaining in both the Convention Center and Fox Park queuing lines to watch the president’s speech on two jumbotrons.
The department anticipated 30 various groups slated to attend in protest of President Trump, but only approximately 200 protestors in all attended with no issues reported.
The Wildwood Police Department, assisted by fellow law enforcement officers, had limited law enforcement incidents to report.
However, one individual was arrested in the late evening hours for acting in a disorderly manner and being found in possession of a large knife. This individual was ultimately issued multiple summons complaints and released in accordance with the New Jersey Bail Reform Act.
Additionally, the Wildwood Fire Department reported a total of 64 total responses inside the Convention Center and venue areas, which was broken down as follows:
23 Minor Treatments (i.e. Ice packs, bandages, etc.)
15 Public Assists
11 Refusals
5 Transports, 8 Responded and no Patient located 2 Fire Alarms Investigations
It was because of the collaboration of all federal, state, county, and municipal partnerships which included; law enforcement, fire, emergency medical services, and public works staff, that the city was able to provide a safe environment for everyone in attendance to not only participate in a presidential rally but to also freely express First Amendment privileges.
The men and women of the Wildwood Police and Wildwood Fire departments extended appreciation for supporting local agencies in this “huge” undertaking, according to Chief of Police Robert N. Regalbuto and Deputy Fire Chief (OIC) Ernie Troiano III.
