The 1-percenters are preparing for next Tuesday a little differently. While New York polling places, apartments and homes will have increased security before–and after–Tuesday’s presidential election, the wealthiest New Yorkers are bringing on their own armed guards.
And these are very, very dedicated guards.
According to the New York Post, the Time Warner Center on Columbus Circle, where the penthouse is worth $62.5 million, managers are deploying off-duty cops with very serious weapons. “Everybody is worried about security,” an insider told the Post. “Every top building is adding security. It’s out of control. We hope it won’t be needed, but we will be ready.”
The source said the building is working with the NYPD and Homeland Security. “There will be officers with submachine guns. … We’ll have extra patrols. The entire building can be shut down with one button.”
The NYPD Deputy Commissioner of Intelligence and Counterterrorism, John Miller, said the department is prepared to respond, and the city’s top uniformed officer explained the need for added manpower.
“It is no secret that this election is more contentious than in years past,” NYPD Chief of Department Terence Monahan said in a briefing last week. “Beginning on Oct. 26, we will have hundreds of additional cops in uniform citywide who will be at the ready should they be needed.”
One luxury building board member said high-end residents have been warned to take precautions by the NYPD.
Other less-glitzy buildings are preparing, too. One on the upper east side sent a letter to residents explaining, it will “anticipate and mitigate the possibility of civil unrest and violence following the upcoming presidential election.”
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