The huge police presence has been ordered amidst fears that the main event at the convention – the official coronation of Donald Trump as the party’s 2016 presidential nominee – could trigger large protests and possible acts of civil disobedience in the north OH metropolis.
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Concerns about disturbances outside the convention are high, after protesters outside several of Trump’s speeches this year have become unruly. In Albuquerque, New Mexico, on Tuesday night, rioters threw objects and stomped on police cars.
A dispute has also broken out over a decision by the city’s police chief not to attach body cameras to thousands of officers who will be wearing riot gear around the arena, saying that while the cameras are available, affixing them would be too hard.
Greensboro had been planning since last October to send 50 officers, but Greensboro officials said Cleveland is not prepared to host such a big event, which is expected to draw thousands of protesters. “I can’t stress enough that we are prepared for this”, he said. “While we always make a concerted effort to assist our law enforcement partners, we have a responsibility to ensure that we are sending our officers to an event that is well planned and that we do not leave ourselves in a vulnerable situation here at home while we send our officers to assist in another jurisdiction”.
Cleveland’s mayor and police chief plan to outline what security measures the city will need to take for the Republican National Convention next week.
But Police Chief Calvin Williams has said the city must withhold certain information to stymie anyone seeking to disrupt the convention.
A North Carolina police department has decided against sending some of its officers to Cleveland to help with security for the Republican National Convention.
Philadelphia will host the Democratic convention a week after the Republicans in Cleveland, but Philadelphia officials declined to provide specifics on their security preparations.
“The Secret Service does rings of security”, said former special agent-in-charge Larry Johnson. Cleveland also will have a designated protest stage on the newly redesigned Public Square.
Tampa Police Spokesperson Janelle McGregor said in the weeks and months leading up to the convention not one of the departments that committed to help backed out of that commitment.
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The city’s release said no outside agencies have directly expressed preparedness concerns. “So I applaud him for taking care of his guys and I know his guys want to come up here and help us out, that’s truly the sad part about this whole thing”, said Loomis. Are they going to have to follow our protocol?
