The Triangle

Issue date: 7/11/08 Section: News

Media Credit: Dave Hernandez

The Pennsylvania State Police have selected Drexel University's campus as the main base of operations as they provide security for the National Governors Association conference in Philadelphia.
Troopers from various units and locations across the state are staying in the Race Street Residence Hall from July 7 to July 15, officials said.
"Our goal is to provide outstanding security as the various Governors visit the great city of Philadelphia," Trooper Danea Alston, a state police spokeswoman based at Philadelphia's Troop K, said.
Alston said she could not release the specific number of troopers staying on campus.
Law enforcement agencies from across the county are participating in the security efforts for the conference, Alston said.
Each governor attending the national conference can bring a police detail, according to Alston.
The troopers have not been restricted to just the Race Street dorm, according to Rita LaRue Gollotti, senior associate vice president for business services, who is responsible for booking the space.
"The troopers have been using the Main Auditorium as well as other space on campus for their meetings," LaRue Gollotti said.
"During their stay through July 15, Race Street has been closed by the State Police to thru traffic between 32nd and 34th streets," according to a University-wide e-mail sent July 8.
The specific governors and number of attendees is not released until after the conference for security purposes, according to an NGA spokeswoman.
The NGA is celebrating its centennial anniversary and the conference includes a keynote speech by former president Bill Clinton.
Some media reports and bloggers have speculated that presidential candidates Sens. John McCain and Barack Obama will attend the meeting.
Pennsylvania Gov. Edward Rendell is being named as NGA Chair. Rendell, who campaigned for Sen. Hillary Clinton, is considered to be a possible pick for a cabinet-level post by Obama.

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