Law enforcement prepares for Belmont Stakes spectators

The excitement is palpable in Saratoga Springs as we are just hours away from the Belmont Stakes race at Saratoga Race Course.

And the police are ready to welcome the tens of thousands of spectators and visitors who invade the spa town.

The festivities have been going on for days as part of a festival that lasts almost a week.

Saratoga Springs Police therefore partnered with other local, state and federal law enforcement agencies for personnel and resource support.

There is an increased police presence downtown and on the track to prevent and respond to any potential issues that may arise.

Authorities say anyone arriving in the city should prepare for traffic jams and delays.

“Residents here in Saratoga are quite familiar with the hustle and bustle of trail season and know many alternative routes to get around town quickly, but for visitors, we urge you to be patient – ​​especially on the Belmont on Broadway. day,” said City of Saratoga Springs Police Chief Tyler McIntosh.

Chief McIntosh says his department partnered with the FBI’s Crisis Management Unit to study different scenarios to identify how they would respond to a large-scale incident if something happened.