The highly anticipated Republican National Convention (RNC) kicks off this week in Milwaukee, where the officials are expected to nominate former President Donald Trump as the GOP candidate for the 2024 election.
Just last week, the city of Milwaukee announced that every vehicle driving in parts of the city’s downtown will need to be screened by law enforcement, WISN12 reports. At each checkpoint, law enforcement and a K9 will stop drivers for the inspection. According to the publication, the driver will stay in their vehicles, but will have to turn it off and pop the hood and trunk as law enforcement inspect the exterior. Only those properly credentialed will be allowed in the hard security perimeter.
Just to create these perimeters, the Department of Public Works had to restrict a large portion of downtown parking, WISN12 reports. At the time of this report, DPW had already issued 216 parking tickets and towed 100 of the ticketed vehicles.
While Milwaukee citizens may feel as though the checkpoints are severe, the RNC has not changed security protocol following the assassination attempt against former President Trump over the weekend.
Milwaukee has been designated a National Special Security Event, requiring top-tier federal security protocols. Mayor Cavalier Johnson has expressed confidence in the collaborative efforts involving the Secret Service, FBI and local law enforcement over the last 18 months to secure the event, WISN12 reports.
According to the Milwaukee Journal, no guns will be allowed in the hard perimeter of the RNC. This includes buildings like the Fiserv Forum, which is hosting convention events, and other areas around them. However, guns will be allowed in the soft perimeter of the convention as state law prevents the city from banning most firearms.
At the time of this report, there are no known threats to the RNC.
Mackenna Moralez is the associate editor for the facilities market.
