Philadelphia Police prep for DNC safety, keep close eye on Cleveland
PHILADELPHIA (WTXF) - With tens-of-thousands of people expected to descend upon our Philadelphia for the DNC local and federal officials are doing all they can to make sure this convention will be a safe one.
Organizers and officials expect plenty of protests in the city, and security is on everyone's mind.
Chemical detectors are in place. Sewers and light poles have been sealed by the secret service. New surveillance cameras will keep a close eye on the Wells Fargo Center in South Philadelphia.
With under a week to go before the DNC, Philadelphia's top cop says the city is ready to protect the dignitaries, deal with massive protests and assure the public safety.
"The only thing I ask is that people are peaceful and that they respect everyone else's rights," Police Commissioner Richard Ross explained.
Commissioner ross says the city has "the full security package" to provide protection for the public, the protestors and his officers.
After the recent police ambushes in Dallas and Baton Rouge, there will be two officers in each car.
"We're worried about everybody. In the case of a deranged individual who thinks they're doing something in the name of a particular cause," Commissioner Ross said.
The city will ban trucks over five tons from I-95 and there will be no center median parking along South Broad Street. Travel will be restricted around the Wells Fargo Center where convention preps are almost complete.
The Commissioner says in light of the recent shooting of police officers in Dallas and Baton Rouge, he hopes protestors' language and anger directed at police will be toned down.
"I would like to see people expressing their first amendment right and not calling police officers every name in the book," Ross explained.
The commissioner says the State Police will also provide lots of help along with departments in the five county area. They will supply extra K-9 units, bomb techs, hazmat experts and counter terrorism investigators.
Police have a contingent of commanders in Cleveland for the RNC this week. They will debrief Philadelphia police on any problems or threats there over the course of the week.