CLEVELAND — Mayor Frank Jackson’s team and a Cleveland Police Department spokesman have kept a lot of information about security plans for the RNC under wraps.
On Wednesday, some answers are expected at a meeting of the City Council Safety Committee.
Deputy Cleveland Police Chief Ed Tomba is expected to provide the most comprehensive picture of security manpower, training and equipment yet.
Safety Director Mike McGrath has previously says the city will have enough officers and equipment to face expected challenges.
But Cleveland Police Patrolmen’s Association President Steve Loomis has told WKYC Channel 3 News the city is “way behind the 8 ball.”
Loomis claims 500 officers have had three days of training from FEMA instructors and calls that inadequate.
He says officers have not been measured for ordered safety equipment and believes there is a risk it won’t be delivered in time to fit, test and train with.
Why didn’t police and the city order the gear and hardware they needed sooner?
They had to wait until the city received the expected $50 million federal grant for security.
The city wanted to be sure everything it ordered had federal pre-approval. Tampa purchased a lot of equipment, and the federal government declined to reimburse it for.
$30 million of the $50 million is earmarked for personnel costs.
$20 million is targeted for equipment, including 2,000 riot-protection suits, motorcycles, horse trailers, bicycles and more.
READ MORE: WKYC.com
Article and Picture Courtesy of WKYC Channel 3 News Cleveland
