Tiffany & Co. Holiday Display Still On Amid Security Concerns
Protests surrounding Trump Tower on 5th Avenue have not stopped since Donald Trump was named President-Elect on November 8. Secret Service and New York Police have gone back and forth on ways to secure the building which happens to be Trump’s residence. At one point, authorities though they may close down 5th Avenue all together.
Stores near Trump Tower such as Tiffany & Co. and Gucci would be in real trouble during the holiday season if 5th Avenue was shut down, and rumors started to circulate that Tiffany & Co. had cancelled its light show because of security concerns.
A spokesman for the designer jewelry store said that the window unveiling event was cancelled, but the holiday show will go on.
Tiffany & Co. is in the heart of the new security zone create to protect President-elect Trump and police officers manning metal barricades have been asking visitors and shoppers where they are going before they could get onto the Trump Tower block. Some retailers fear the security will drive customers away.
The security zone is mostly barricades and police while the President-elect is traveling, but when he comes home the security is increased almost tripled. Secret Service and NYPD block off the avenue with concrete barricades and a significant police presence, both uniformed and plain clothes are on the scene looking for suspicious activity and directing pedestrian and vehicle traffic.
Authorities also take advantage of a mobile command post that has been installed to help communication efforts.
Tiffany & Co. asks shoppers to use the 57th Street entrance while the Fifth Avenue barricades remain in place. In the meantime, it remains open for business with regular hours.