Trump Towers security nightmare: What happens when you try to put a second White House on Fifth Avenue
As traffic ground to a halt on Fifth Avenue this week amidst massive anti-Trump protests, residents of Manhattan's iconic Trump Tower were resigning themselves to a very long four years.
The 58-story skyscraper they call home — located on one of New York City's busiest downtown streets — is now the official White House-in-waiting of America's president-elect.
And while the protests may be winding down, the city's security and traffic headaches are just beginning.
Trump Tower has become the de facto headquarters for Trump's transition team. For the law enforcement officials tasked with keeping the incoming president safe, the building's high profile and prominent location pose an unusual challenge.
We have never had a situation where a President of the United States would be here on such a regular basis.- New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio
Since the election, nearly the entire city block around Trump Tower has been closed to traffic. A no-fly zone has been put in place above the building.
Every vehicle that wants to pass through — from taxis to delivery trucks — has to be checked by Secret Service agents. Needless to say, that's having a serious impact on downtown Manhattan traffic.
"In the modern world, with the security dynamics we face today, we have never had a situation where a President of the United States would be here on such a regular basis," New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said Friday.
According to retired NYPD police sergeant Joseph Giacalone, the citizens of New York could be in for a long ride.
"You have to make a plan [that] this is going to be for eight years, not just four years," Giacalone tells Day 6 host Brent Bambury.
Four years of gridlock?
Given that Donald Trump has reportedly said he wants to keep living at Trump Tower even after he takes office, the heavy security presence on Fifth Avenue is not expected to let up anytime soon.
That news may seem especially bad to wealthy Trump Tower residents like Bruce Willis and former Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort — not to mention the hundreds of others who work in and around Trump Tower.
We have a White House on Fifth Avenue; we're gonna have to deal with that fact."- Retired NYPD Sergeant Joseph Giacalone
Everybody who enters the building will have to get used to metal detectors and routine I.D. and bag checks, says Giacalone.
"Even though they live here… it doesn't matter. You have the President of the United States living there now," he says.
"It's just going to be a fact of life."
Dwindling dollar signs
The security crackdown will also pose a problem for the legions of holiday shoppers trying to access the many big-name stores on Fifth Avenue — including NikeTown and the flagship Gucci store, both located on Trump Tower's main floor.
Some frustrated New Yorkers have already sworn off the entire street this year, opting to purchase all their gifts online instead.
They haven't even begun to be inconvenienced yet.- Retired NYPD Sergeant Joseph Giacalone
As far as spending goes, the City of New York is likely more preoccupied with the price tag of all that security — not least because of the sheer number of police officers and Secret Service agents involved in the operation.
"[It will be] almost like a mini-precinct, you're going to have out of there," Giacalone predicts.
"Listen, we have a White House on Fifth Avenue; we're gonna have to deal with that fact."
In the meantime, the inconvenienced New Yorkers who've spent the past ten days complaining may just have to toughen up.
"They haven't even begun to be inconvenienced yet," says Giacalone.
"This has only been a test run."