How The 2012 Conventions Will Leave A Permanent Surveillance And Security Footprint In Host Cities

Thousands of voters, party faithful, protesters and press will descend on Tampa in late summer for the Republican National Convention. But long after the delegates pack up shop and the nominee heads into the home stretch of campaigning, the security apparatus put in place for the event will be felt by locals and local law enforcement alike.

With the help of $50 million in grant money from the federal government, Tampa, Florida is considering ways to beef up its law enforcement capabilities for the convention, which will be held August 27-30.

Assistant Police Chief Marc Hamlin told TPM that Tampa has been making preparations since May 2010 for the event, designated as a “national special security event,” in conjunction with the Secret Service, FBI and other local agencies. The plan, he said, is “tremendous,” and among other things, involves maritime security (because the city is surrounded by water on three sides), and possible fences erected around the city’s court house.

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After that there will be “very little money left for equipment,” Hamlin said, but that will go to purchasing a $273,000 armored BearCat SWAT truck, which would be “used to rescue people in volatile situations.” Hamlin added that it “won’t be used for patrol or any kind of crowd control.” The police also are trying to borrow around twelve others from nearby police departments and federal agencies for the duration of the convention.

There is also a plan to use $1.18 million to upgrade the electronic surveillance equipment in the city’s helicopters. The choppers already have cameras, Hamlin said, but they are outdated. The new digital cameras will be used to monitor “road closures due to security, and monitoring the crowds” during the convention, he said.

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