Local officers beef up security to prepare for President Trump

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – Security was beefed up ahead of the Presidents second visit to the Magnolia State.

Not only did the President have his team of security, but our local law enforcement was out in full force.

“We got here at 8 this morning. Then, we had to wait for buses to fill, and we were the third bus.”

People of Mississippi showed up in full force showing their support for President Trump.

“It’s my first time seeing him and a once in a lifetime thing,” said one Ecru resident.

He’s campaigning for Sen.Cindy-Hyde Smith ahead of Tuesday’s special Senate runoff. Planning for this day took nearly a week.

“We’re ensuring the traffic flow, entrance and exits to and from the airport,” says Lee County Sheriff Jim Johnson

Buses were running all morning to drop off those with a ticket in. Between the Mississippi Highway Patrol, Lee County Sheriff’s Office, and Tupelo Police, an additional 100 officers hit the streets.

“It’s pretty massive, but you know we hope the president, or whoever it is to our community. We want it to be a great visit for him and hope he comes back to have positive things to say,” said Sheriff Jim Johnson.

The President’s detail handled everything inside the Tupelo Regional Airport. Dogs sniffing out potential danger and a massive 3 hour sweep of the premises ahead of the President’s arrival.

A few local officers will be inside helping guard the commander-in-chief.

“As far as the detail on what they do to protect the president, it’s the same. There will be a few locals in the detail to protect the president, but our main focus is traffic,” said Sheriff Johnson.

With hundreds of cars coming in and going out, it’s a dangerous job, but one that’s done with a lot of pride.

“It’s an honor to do it. It threw a kink in Thanksgiving. You didn’t get to spend as much time with your family, but who gets to work a Presidential detail? It’s an honor.”

President Trump is the second sitting president to visit Tupelo since Franklin D. Roosevelt.