Thomas Lekan Security Consultants confirm a dramatic increase in requests for security improvement plans less than 12 weeks from the start of the Republican national convention.
Lekan told newsnet5.com his Cleveland area firm has taken in some 200 requests from northeast Ohio businesses and companies looking to improve security before the RNC in July.
"Some companies are thinking about limiting employee hours during the week of the convention, or asking employee to work from home due to security concerns," said Lekan.
Lekan said he's concerned that some smaller downtown businesses and hotels are not a prepared as they should be when it comes to the wide variety of potential RNC security issues.
"Bars, restaurants, hotels we haven't heard from them yet," said Lekan. "These hotels are going to be crowded, there's going to be a lot of parties. We're going to have bars open until 4 o'clock in the morning."
"We have clients that want to have magnetometers. They want people checked to see if they have weapons."
Thomas Lekan Consultants told newsnet5.com on of the most critical aspects of security during the RNC is for employees to keep close watch on the large number of people coming in out of their building.
Lekan said it's important employees are given specific training on what to look out for, and how to best react to a quickly developing security situation.
"You have to tell them what you think is going to happen, how they should handle it," said Lekan. "If they get into a situation, who to go to, when to call the police."
Lekan believes the Cleveland police are highly prepared for the upcoming RNC, but would like to see downtown small business take additional security measures.
