Lynden residents surprised by Trump’s unexpected visit
May 6, 2016, 7:13 AM | Updated: 9:14 am
Staff at the Northwest Washington Fair and Event Center in Lynden were told a Trump rally will begin at 3 p.m. Saturday in the recently refurbished grandstand, which holds about 5,000 people, according to fairground staff. (KIRO 7)
(KIRO 7)
When David LaPlaunt of Lynden first heard that Donald Trump will visit his small hometown Saturday, and lead a rally in the little fairgrounds next door to him, he wondered how it could be true.
“I did not believe it,” LaPlaunt told KIRO 7. “I was like, ‘Lynden? Really?’ Trump’s got a whole country to cover, but maybe he feels he’s got a fan base here.”
Details of the Trump rally are still being worked out, according to organizers.
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So far, no one is saying why Trump picked the little city of 13,000 people to rally after a stop in Spokane, or why his camp would want to use a small grandstand, when previous rallies have drawn more than 30,000 people.
“I’ve heard there are more churches in Lynden than in any other town in this state,” LaPlaunt said. “Maybe it might be the evangelical vote that he’s looking for, you hear a lot about that.”
Whatcom County Sheriff Bill Elfo said the Secret Service called him Thursday afternoon, telling him to get his 85 deputies prepared. Elfo said local law enforcement usually has weeks to make a security plan.
“I don’t get involved in the rationale, or the timing,” Elfo said. “My job is just to make sure the laws are obeyed, and everybody’s orderly.”
Elfo said the Secret Service gave him a limited amount of information about Saturday’s visit, but confirmed that Trump’s plane would land at Bellingham’s airport Saturday afternoon. Elfo said law enforcement would utilize the emergency logistics center in the airport that was used for counter terrorism security during Vancouver’s 2010 Olympics.
“According to the Secret Service, these candidates make plans on short notice and they change plans, so we have to be as flexible as we can.”
Elfo and LaPlaunt both expect protesters will try to disrupt portions of the events. Elfo told KIRO 7 his deputies will have no tolerance for the kind of violence which has marred Trump appearances around the country.
“You might get a small aggressive crowd,” said LaPlaunt. “It really wouldn’t be a Trump rally without it.”
