The Butler Farm Show grounds. Butler Eagle File Photo

Local law enforcement has been contacted to provide support to federal agencies during the planned rally for former President Donald Trump on Oct. 5 at the Butler Farm Show grounds.

Butler County Sheriff Mike Slupe said his office has been contacted by the U.S. Secret Service. Butler County District Attorney Richard Goldinger said his office also was contacted to deploy the county Emergency Services Unit at the planned rally.

Representatives of both county agencies will attend a meeting with the Secret Service next week to learn more details about what is needed of them for the rally.

“I will do whatever they need me to do to support the efforts,” Goldinger said Friday, Sept. 27. “That’s what I would presume, is they would make a request from the ESU on what they need them to do.”

Slupe provided a handful of officers to staff the rally for Trump on July 13, and the Butler County Emergency Services Unit had several people staffed as well, alongside the Tactical Emergency Medical Services Unit. Additionally, state police were staffing the rally, and Butler Township police provided a traffic detail.

The rally July 13 also was announced within two weeks of it taking place, and law enforcement representatives from Butler County attended meetings with the Secret Service in the days leading up to it as well.

The Sheriffs’ Association of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania released a statement following the shooting at the July 13 rally, saying violence against people for political beliefs or voter suppression will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

The members of the association will not condone any violence, either implied or carried out, that is targeted at an individual for their political beliefs, ideals or support of one candidate over another, the news release said.

Slupe said Thursday, Sept. 25, that he agrees “wholeheartedly with the position” of the association.

“One of the most important roles that a Sheriff in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania fulfills,” the news release said, “is to make certain that citizens can exercise their right to vote without fear or favor, threats, intimidation or violence.”

Slupe said he will know more about plans for the rally following the meeting with the Secret Service next week.