Cleveland says it’s prepared for RNC

Associated Press

CLEVELAND

City officials on Tuesday insisted that they’re prepared to provide the security and medical care needed to keep people safe during the Republican National Convention in July.

Last week, police in Greensboro, N.C., rescinded an offer to send 50 police officers to Cleveland during the convention because of concerns about the city’s preparedness to host an event that is expected to draw as many as 50,000 people.

Officials in Cleveland spent about 90 minutes Tuesday briefing reporters about the city’s security preparations. Police Chief Calvin Williams said the number of police officers working outside the “hard” security zone surrounding the convention venue, Quicken Loans Arena, would be “in the thousands.”

Mayor Frank Jackson said Cleveland officials have visited every city that has hosted a national political convention since 2004 to learn about best practices for security.

“We are prepared,” Jackson said. “We have done our diligence in many different ways.”

Greensboro police, in deciding not to send officers, also cited concerns that its officers wouldn’t be covered by worker’s compensation insurance.