Police officials said they were reviewing whether to restrict access to a public park outside the courthouse where former President Donald Trump is on trial after a man set himself on fire there Friday. “We may have to shut this area down,” New York City Police Department Deputy Commissioner Kaz Daughtry said at a news conference outside the courthouse, adding that officials would discuss the security plan soon.
Quick Read
- Police are considering restricting access to Collect Pond Park outside the courthouse where former President Donald Trump’s trial is occurring, following an incident where a man set himself on fire. Deputy Commissioner Kaz Daughtry indicated the possibility of closing the area during a news conference.
- The park has been a focal point for protesters, media, and spectators since the trial began. Despite generally small and orderly crowds, the self-immolation incident on Friday raised significant security concerns.
- The man, who had recently traveled from Florida to New York, spread conspiracy-laden pamphlets before dousing himself with an accelerant and igniting the fire around 1:30 p.m., resulting in critical injuries. He is currently hospitalized.
- Although he did not cross any secure perimeters to enter the park, the event has prompted a review of security measures at the courthouse, where trial attendees must pass through metal detectors.
- NYPD Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey expressed deep concern and confirmed that the department would reassess its security protocols following the incident.
The Associated Press has the story:
Police to review security outside courthouse hosting Trump’s trial after man sets self on fire
Newslooks- NEW YORK (AP) —
Police officials said they were reviewing whether to restrict access to a public park outside the courthouse where former President Donald Trump is on trial after a man set himself on fire there Friday. “We may have to shut this area down,” New York City Police Department Deputy Commissioner Kaz Daughtry said at a news conference outside the courthouse, adding that officials would discuss the security plan soon.
Collect Pond Park has been a gathering spot for protesters, journalists and gawkers throughout Trump’s trial, which began with jury selection Monday.
Crowds there have been small and largely orderly, but around 1:30 p.m. Friday a man there took out pamphlets espousing conspiracy theories, tossed them around, then doused himself in an accelerant and set himself on fire, officials and witnesses said.
A large number of police officers were nearby when it happened. Some officers and bystanders rushed to the man’s aid. He was hospitalized in critical condition Friday afternoon.
The man, who police said had traveled from Florida to New York in the last few days, hadn’t breached any security checkpoints to get into the park. Through Friday, the streets and sidewalks in the area around the courthouse were generally wide open, though the side street where Trump enters and leaves the building is off limits.
People accessing the floor of the large courthouse where the trial is taking place have to pass through a pair of metal detectors.
Authorities said they were also reviewing the security protocols outside the courthouse.
“We are very concerned. Of course we are going to review our security protocols,” NYPD Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey said.
