New York City says no permanent ban on
traffic near Trump Tower
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[November 19, 2016]
By Gina Cherelus
NEW YORK (Reuters) - New York City has no
plans to close the Manhattan streets surrounding Trump Tower on a
permanent basis even though President-elect Donald Trump is expected to
spend much of his time there ahead of his inauguration, officials said
on Friday.
Mayor Bill de Blasio told reporters the city aimed to provide proper
security around the 58-story skyscraper while allowing commuters to move
safely through the area. Even so, he urged people to avoid the area if
possible.
The president-elect has spent most of his time since his Nov. 8 election
in the tower. For years, he has used the building as his main residence
and headquarters for his business empire.
"The details of his future plans are unknown but we certainly know that
for the next 65 days he will be here regularly," de Blasio said.
Since Trump's election last week, heightened security at the Fifth
Avenue tower has caused massive traffic jams in midtown Manhattan,
frustrating commuters, shoppers, residents and workers in the area. The
building sits in the heart of one of New York's busiest retail
stretches.
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Police have closed some of the streets in the area on a temporary basis,
mostly in response to roving protest marches that began immediately
after Trump's victory.
With Trump and his advisors stationed inside the tower to plan the
presidential transition, the New York Police Department and the Secret
Service have set up metal and concrete barricades in front of the
building.
Nearly 50 officers equipped with heavy weapons and bomb-sniffing dogs
have been assigned to work daily shifts at the tower, providing security
and managing the flow of traffic, police officials said. If needed,
authorities said they would add more officers to the details.
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![](../images/111916pics/news_h11.jpg)
An employee stands by a bank of elevators in the lobby at Trump
Tower where U.S. President-elect Donald Trump lives in New York
City, NY, U.S. November 18, 2016. REUTERS/Mike Segar
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2016/Nov/19/images/ads/current/mks_lda_SAVEDATE_2016.png)
"We look to strike a proper balance," Carlos Gomez, NYPD's Chief of
Department, said, "providing as much security as possible around the
president-elect ... while at the same time not having an adverse
impact on ... the lives of other New Yorkers."
Small businesses in the area have complained about periodic street
closures and high level of security in the area.
Dominic Amato, general manager of Obica, a cafe located in the
atrium behind Trump Tower, said his business began losing customers
the day after the election.
"With all the security that's been beefed up, a lot of people are
staying away," he said.
(Reporting by Gina Cherelus; Editing by David Gregorio)
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