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CARMEL, Calif.--Joe Biden Visit Creates Controversy. Security was very intense around the Sunset Center in Carmel where a fundraiser took place for the Obama/Biden presidential campaign. A security perimeter was set up by the secret service several streets away from the fundraising event, blocking traffic and causing some congestion. People in Carmel had mixed feelings about the extra security.
More resources needed to be brought in to help get the vice president into the fundraiser safely. Carmel Police had about 19 officers on hand made up of volunteers and 5 overtime employees. CHP helped escort the motorcade, with more than 20 of their own motorcycles.
Many people living in Carmel just a few streets away from the event made a bit of a detour to check out the line of security and wave to the vice president as he made his way into town. Some onlookers say they saw him wave at the crowds on the corner near Sunset Center. "We just decided to stick around and wave to the Vice President," said Sarah Maguire.
Even though they only saw a glimpse of the vice president, many people were happy that he was just in town. "Its pretty exciting to have the Vice President come to our town, our state," said Pat Cleary.
However not everybody was excited to see the vice president. Some small shops in downtown Carmel said his visit hurt business. Meredith Crowell owns Linens & Such on the corner of 8th and San Carlos. She said anytime there's a big event down town it hurts business more than it helps. "When my local customers can't find a parking place in from of my store it greatly affects sales that I have," said Crowell.
Road closures made parking a nightmare for anyone who in town while the vice president made his entrance. Not to mention the more than 60 cars, trucks and motorcycles that escorted the vice president. "It is a waste of tax payers money unless he's paying for it." said Crowell.
Other onlookers say that it may have caused a slow down at some places but it was worth the wait to be close to such a high-profile politician. "It's exciting, it definitely feels very safe," said Maguire. Those same onlookers say the extra resources used to keep the vice president safe is worth the investment. "I don't think they could be too safe," said Cleary.
