Head of US Secret Service says security plans for upcoming RNC in Milwaukee will be finalized in 2 weeks

 

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- With nearly five weeks to go until the Republican National Convention (RNC), both local and federal officials say they are prioritizing safety as tens of thousands are expected to visit Milwaukee.

On Thursday, the FBI, U.S. Secret Service, and officials with the Milwaukee police and fire departments held a news conference to provide an update on their security plans ahead of the major event.

Officials said dozens of key players have been working since last May to ensure the convention's safe success. 

“We’ve worked with the Milwaukee Police Department and 15 other key agencies to create the operational security plan for the convention," said Kimberly Cheatle, the director of the U.S. Secret Service.

But that security plan is still up in the air and will not be revealed until two weeks from now.

“We have a responsibility for the entire city," said Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey Norman. "We are working to make sure we’re covering that type of responsibility in a thoughtful and secure manner and that we are going to again, put every effort in to ensure there’s a safety net not only for this particular event but for the entire city.”

Norman added that officers are putting in "every effort."

"This particular event to us is no different than any other event that has gone on in the city of Milwaukee," Norman said.

However, questions regarding specific threats or scenarios they are preparing for were sidestepped, with officials telling media they are "fully prepared."

“We share intelligence both at the federal and state level to make sure that everyone’s aware of any threats and any potentiality’s that we’re going to address prior to the lead up to the RNC or DNC," said Michael Hensle, a special agent in charge with the FBI. “I think at this point what we’re looking at is to determine the veracity of any specific intelligence and that’s typically what we do with any sort of intelligence that comes in and especially when there could be a threat or at least a threat that is perceived. We’re still evaluating that, and we continue to do that up to the lead up of the RNC.”

In terms of impact to local businesses and residents in the downtown area, Anthony Guglielmi, the Secret Service's chief of communications, said they are also working to minimize disruptions.

"We want to make sure we’re working with those community members and so there’s a number of factors that we take into play and consideration when we’re defending our perimeter," Cheatle said. “We seek to lessen disruptions to the public to the greatest extent possible.”

All said they are expecting large demonstrations that are common with this kind of event and that they will be handled accordingly. 

"Secret Service respects every American’s First Amendment right to express themselves and protests are nothing new to political conventions," Cheatle said.