Police ensure safe and successful event during Clinton visit

While the U.S. Secret Service provided security for President Bill Clinton when he visited campus Wednesday on behalf of President Obama’s campaign, both UNH and Durham police also assisted during the event.


“The university police department provides support for traffic control, pedestrian safety, and crowd management,” Paul Dean, UNH chief of police and executive director of public safety, said. “This is accomplished with support of from our public safety partners.”


Dean could not give the number of UNH police officers who helped with the event.


“Plans associated with the event are not generally released to the public for obvious security reasons,” he said.


Capt. David Holmstock of Durham Police was in charge of the Durham officers who assisted UNH police and provided “several of our officers” for security. Holmstock could not comment on the number of officers provided either.


According to Dean, around 1,700 people – including students – attended the former president’s visit, and another 100 listened to his speech from the lobby. Ticket distribution for this event was handled by the campaign. The Obama for America – New Hampshire Press announced that the crowd count was 1,675 people, according to Fire Chief Corey Landry of the Durham Fire Department.


“The event was a success,” Dean said. “Student, faculty, staff and visitors appeared excited and energized. There were no incidents and disruptions to the community were minimal.”


Holmstock agreed and added, “In my opinion the University of New Hampshire Police Department did an outstanding job of providing security to the event and I thought everything ran smoothly throughout the day.”