Cleveland is now experiencing some of the tightest security it’s ever seen. Police officers from around the country are now assisting Cleveland Police and federal agents are on patrol amid international terrorism fears this weekend before the 2016 Republican National Convention.
On Saturday night, E. 4th Street was packed with visitors who couldn’t help but notice the ramped up security presence.
“We feel very safe. It’s Saturday night. We feel safe,” Patty Arata said.
On Saturday, hundreds of police officers from agencies across the country took an oath to protect and serve here in Cleveland, supplementing the city’s police force for the next week.
Cleveland Police are patrolling the city on 300 new bikes and they recently purchased new prisoner vans, as well.
“I think the mood is cautiously optimistic,” Cleveland Police Chief Calvin Williams said, “I mean we have to take those things into consideration. we have to make sure that we plan for any and everything.”
The Coast Guard is on patrol too, closing a portion of the north coast, checking the water for any potential threats ahead of an outdoor opening convention party that’s planned for Sunday night.
“We don’t have any credible threats, but it’s just making sure the area is swept, so the security’s in place the secret service requires for the event,” Lt. Commanders Mickey Dougherty said.
The Secret Service is sweeping the Quicken Loans Arena and the convention center as well.
Walking with his mother along Euclid Avenue Saturday night, Oliver Stone of Cleveland Heights said some of the security, like the armed barricades along E. 9th Street, felt like too much.
“When it becomes a little bit too excessive I get a little bit fearful of reminding me of a police state,” Stone said.
“It might be a little bit excessive,” Yolanda Stone said, “But...we’re expecting a lot of protestors here in the city so the security should be here.”
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