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St. Paul Police union on RNC security planning: 'The ball was dropped'
Less than two weeks before the opening of the Republican National Convention, significant questions remain about the preparedness of the St. Paul Police Department to oversee security efforts. For weeks the law-enforcement agency has been scrambling to cobble together enough officers to work the event, with out-of-state departments the latest to be tapped.
The latest rumor rumbling through law-enforcement circles is that the Minnesota National Guard will be utilized on security operations at the convention site. But SPPD spokesman Tom Walsh says any guard presence will be limited to logistical support. “You’re not going to see anybody in a uniform at the Xcel Energy Center,” he says.
The Minnesota National Guard also issued a statement laying out its expected duties during the RNC. “Just as we routinely do in state emergencies, the National Guard is available in the event that additional manpower, equipment or capability is needed,” said Lt. Col. Kevin Olson in the statement. “Due to the National Special Security Event status, there are more than 1,000 Minnesota National Guard troops dedicated to assist. The Minnesota National Guard is a partner in a support role with local, state and federal law enforcement during the Republican National Convention in the Twin Cities.”
Comments
"It's Business as Usual"
Chris Coleman and his administration have certainly made a mess of this situation. The blind insistence of Coleman, and his “Director of Marketing and Convention Planning” that it will be “Business as Usual in Saint Paul during the RNC has become a sick joke with people who have to deal with the collateral effects and fallout of the convention. At one recent meeting of the agency I work for “Remember, it’s business as usual” was sarcastically repeated over and over and over again. To all indications Dave Titus and the Police Union are absolutely correct in their assessment of SPPD preparedness.
Coleman has responsibility for attracting this convention, for his staff meddling in convention planning, and many of us believe interfering with police planning. Coleman must be held accountable for whatever occurs.
If the convention is a huge success the Mayor will deserve much of the credit. However if, as many of us fear, it is a disaster he must be held accountable by the voters of Saint Paul.
military riot
i talked to some Anonymous man in the military working at the rnc and he said if the protesters dont start a riot the military is ordered to start one for republican sympathy and so the can use those millions of dollars of “non-lethal” weapons they bought. such as rubber bullets, tasers, taser riot shields,and rubber ball grenades.
really?!
That is absolutely REDICULOUS!!! You honestly believe the military would start a “sympathy riot?”. Wow, I’m surprised you weren’t too embarrassed to post that idiotic comment. My boyfriend is actually in the national guard and is part of the quick reaction force that has been organized TO PROTECT people, Including the protesters, from violence. The last thing any of those guys want to do is start trouble. I guarantee that all of the guys that are working for the RNC security detail would much rather be at home watching TV and being with their families. I think you need to get back into reality buddy, and talk to a professional about this ‘some anonymous man in the military’ voice in your head, because I can assure you this person isn’t real.
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