Unprecedented security ahead of RNC

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Sunday, July 17, 2016
Unprecedented security ahead of RNC
Police officers from around the country and federal agents are now assisting Cleveland Police.

CLEVELAND, OH (KTRK) -- 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.

Cleveland is experiencing some of the tightest security it's ever seen.

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.

Military aircraft have touched down at Cleveland's Burke Lakefront airport.

WEWS reports that the Secret Service is sweeping the Quicken Loans Arena and the convention center as well.

"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.