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http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2012/08/21/3469293/1000-officers-nearly-500-security.html
More than 1,000 out-of-state officers, nearly 500 security cameras on
deck for DNC
Added resources will be in place as part of �massive undertaking� to
help Charlotte police manage DNC security
By April Bethea
The Charlotte Observer
CHARLOTTE, N.C. More than 1,000 out-of-state officers to help patrol the
city. Almost 500 cameras focused on areas in and around uptown. Hundreds
of officers on bicycles.
Those are some of the resources Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief
Rodney Monroe says will be available to help local law enforcement take
on the �massive undertaking� of managing security during the Democratic
National Convention Sept. 4-6.
Monroe discussed the security efforts during the weekly meeting of the
Tuesday Morning Breakfast Forum.
The police chief said law enforcement officials have been preparing for
the DNC since the day after Charlotte was announced as the host city in
February 2011.
Earlier this month, federal and local authorities rolled out a 19-page
plan detailing planned road closures, checkpoints and other security
measures. In the coming days, Monroe said, additional road closures
could be announced related to where President Barack Obama will stay
during the DNC.
The convention is expected to draw thousands of protesters. They�ll be
among the estimated 35,000 politicians, delegates, media and others who
�ll be in Charlotte. Police plan to have officers stationed along
demonstration routes, including a Sept. 2 march that could draw up to
15,000 protesters.
The Charlotte City Council approved an ordinance earlier this year
granting police expanded powers during �extraordinary events� like the
DNC. But authorities have stressed that officers won�t be focused on the
content of the protesters� speech, rather they will be trying to manage
�criminal activity.�
�We�re going to allow everything to come to us,� Monroe said. �We�re not
looking to be heavy-handed.�
CMPD is receiving help from other law enforcement agencies, including
about 1,100 officers from other North Carolina departments. Monroe said
about 80 officers from Winston-Salem and Durham will help boost coverage
in CMPD�s 12 patrol divisions.
Monroe said the visiting officers are due to arrive in Charlotte shortly
before the convention, and have undergone training over the past eight
months.
The chief said close to 500 officers will help manage traffic during the
DNC. He said authorities also have partnered with private entities in
the community that, along with the department�s own resources, will give
them access to 500 cameras for surveillance.
Charlotte received a $50 million federal security grant to help with the
DNC preparations. Monroe said some of the convention-related upgrades
could be used for other crime fighting, including new Shot Spotter
technology to help officers track the location of gunfire.
Some in the audience asked Monroe what the planned security restrictions
will mean for residents living in Third Ward and other uptown areas.
Monroe said residents and their guests shouldn�t have problems gaining
entry to neighborhoods because none of the planned road closures target
specific neighborhoods. He said people will have to go through �very
light� checkpoints where they will be asked about who or where they are
visiting.
The Tuesday Morning Breakfast Forum also drew officials from the
Charlotte in 2012 host committee who discussed efforts to include a
broad array of residents and businesses in the convention.
Officials also discussed volunteer efforts leading up to the convention,
while encouraging people to take advantage of activities such as the
CarolinaFest street festival on Labor Day and the community credential
process to hear Obama deliver his nomination acceptance speech.
Dan Murrey, executive director of the host committee, also spoke briefly
on how things are progressing with the committee�s $37 million
fundraising goal, saying �we�re going to have plenty of money to put on
a great convention.�
To view more of the Tuesday Morning Breakfast Forum event, visit
www.tueforumclt.org
Bethea: 704-358-6013. On Twitter: @AprilBethea