USA TODAY International Edition
Fla. sheriff concerned over GOP convention
Worries include security in host city, COVID- 19
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The sheriff of Jacksonville, Florida, said Monday his office can’t keep the Republican National Convention safe when it comes to his city next month, another sign of disorder as Republicans scramble to put on a “celebration” for President Donald Trump to accept the GOP nomination.
Sheriff Mike Williams, a Republican, raised concerns about funding for sufficient security for the four- day convention, which is expected to bring thousands of people to Jacksonville, as well as lacking clear plans.
“Where we are today is we can’t support this plan,” Williams said in an interview with Jacksonville media. “Where do we go from here is a good question. But where we are today, we can’t support it.”
Williams added, “There’s got to be some major re- working of what’s happening.”
The warning comes just five weeks before Republicans are set to convene Aug. 24 to 27 in Jacksonville after they intend to conduct party business in Charlotte, N. C., which was the original site of the full convention.
His concerns remain even after the Republican National Committee last week capped the size of the daily crowds for festivities in Jacksonville, limiting attendance during the first days of the events to the 2,500 regular delegates. Trump’s acceptance speech would be open to guests and alternate delegates, raising the attendance for the final night to more than 6,000.
Williams said he spoke with Mayor Lenny Curry, a Republican and advocate for bringing the convention to Jacksonville – even as other cities’ leaders expressed concerns about the scale of a major convention that brings thousands of law enforcement, protesters, delegates and dignitaries.
He said he’s only gotten about 25% of what he requested for funding security. He said he’s talked to Republican officials about the issues but added he “cannot say with good conscience that we are ready” to keep the event and community safe.
“All of those things have been a concern for a couple of weeks,” Williams said. “But again, we are inside of 40 days away. We should be fine- tuning this and I really don’t have a solid plan.”
Williams said his biggest concern is ensuring the right amount of resources to handle protests “outside of the perimeter, things that we know we will have to deal with.”
RNC National press secretary Mandi Merritt said the RNC continues to “work closely with local leadership in Jacksonville on planning for the convention, including on health and security measures.” She said the U. S. Department of Justice is in the process of “allocating millions of dollars in a safety grant.” She expressed confidence in Jacksonville.
“Jacksonville has accommodated upwards of 70,000 people for football games and other events, and we are confident in state, local and federal officials to be able to ensure a safe event for our attendees,” she said.
Jordan Elsbury, Curry’s chief of staff, said the mayor’s office intends to meet with the sheriff over the next few days “on how to prioritize public safety related to this event.”
The RNC picked Jacksonville to host the “celebration” portion of the convention in hopes of creating the campaign- rally atmosphere the president relishes. But the explosion of coronavirus cases in Florida and the laterthan- usual selection of Jacksonville has cast doubt on the party’s ability to convene a major event there to rally supporters, five Republicans familiar with the planning said on condition of anonymity to discuss internal matters.
Since June 29, Jacksonville has required the public to wear masks in public and indoor locations as well as anywhere else people can’t socially distance.