Current:Home > MyHeavily armed security boats patrol winding Milwaukee River during GOP convention -DollarDynamic
Heavily armed security boats patrol winding Milwaukee River during GOP convention
View
Date:2025-04-14 00:52:06
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Instead of kayakers and tour boats, the summertime scene on the Milwaukee River has taken on a solemn tone this week during the Republican National Convention: Around-the-clock patrol boats, some with heavily armed officers.
Security planners have had to contend with the winding waterways through Milwaukee near the Fiserv Center RNC convention site, along with securing downtown streets. Roughly half a dozen police departments, along with state and federal agencies, have boats patrolling the river 24-hours-a-day until the convention ends this week.
“They’re committed to working those long shifts, throughout the days and nights,” U.S. Coast Guard Lt. Joe Neff said. “They’ve been all on board for making sure public safety is priority.”
Associated Press journalists were allowed on board a 29-foot U.S. Coast Guard boat Wednesday to observe. The boat, typically used for search-and-rescue operations, traveled near the secure zone of the convention site via Lake Michigan and the river that empties into it.
A large section of the river has been shut down to commercial and recreational traffic this week, with very few exceptions, like residents who live on the river. Within an hour, the Coast Guard boat had passed vessels from Milwaukee police, state conservation wardens and a heavily armed specialty Coast Guard tactical force in camouflage gear.
The patrols are part of a massive security plan that Milwaukee police, the U.S. Secret Service and others have been detailing for more than a year. Security around former President Donald Trump, the Republican presidential nominee, has been especially tight in the wake of last weekend’s apparent assassination attempt.
What to know about the 2024 Election
- Democracy: American democracy has overcome big stress tests since 2020. More challenges lie ahead in 2024.
- AP’s Role: The Associated Press is the most trusted source of information on election night, with a history of accuracy dating to 1848. Learn more.
- Read the latest: Follow AP’s live coverage of this year’s election.
“There is no higher level of security that can be invested in events such as this,” Milwaukee Police Chief Norman Jeffery told The Associated Press Wednesday.
So far, no major incidents have been reported on the water during the convention, according to the Coast Guard.
Patrol boats typically depart from a Coast Guard facility south of downtown on Lake Michigan, before turning into the mouth of the channel where the river begins. Speeds are then slowed to 5 mph and boats pass by the restaurants and converted warehouses of Milwaukee’s Historic Third Ward on the way to the secure zone.
The boats are tasked with monitoring Milwaukee’s downtown bridges and keeping unauthorized people and vessels out of the secure zone.
They are also on the lookout for anything suspicious.
As the Coast Guard vessel traveled near the downtown security zone, the crew spotted something mysterious floating in the water. They turned the boat around and fished it out, discovering the object was only a red and gray nylon tarp that had been rolled up and posed no threat.
Coast Guard officials said the help from other agencies this week also means they can keep up their usual public safety duties.
“Yes, we’ve got the national security event here, the RNC. That doesn’t mean we’re ignoring the rest of our normal mission — search and rescue,” said Coast Guard Lt. Phillip Gurtler. “We still have the coverage that we need.”
veryGood! (24)
prev:Sam Taylor
next:Average rate on 30
Related
- What do we know about the mysterious drones reported flying over New Jersey?
- Ship at full throttle in harbor causes major South Carolina bridge to close until it passes safely
- Body recovered from rubble after explosion levels house in Chicago suburbs
- Crewed Boeing Starliner finally launches from Florida: 'Let's put some fire in this rocket'
- Meta donates $1 million to Trump’s inauguration fund
- Travis Kelce Reveals He Was Warned About Getting Tased During White House Visit
- Lace Up, These Are the Best Deals for Global Running Day
- Toddler killed and mother injured during tornado in Detroit suburb
- The 401(k) millionaires club keeps growing. We'll tell you how to join.
- Prosecutors want Donald Trump to remain under a gag order at least until he’s sentenced July 11
Ranking
- Which apps offer encrypted messaging? How to switch and what to know after feds’ warning
- TikToker Miranda Derrick Addresses Cult Allegations Made in Dancing for the Devil Docuseries
- Texas county to pay female constable deputies $1.5 million to settle sexual misconduct lawsuit
- Prehistoric crystals offer clues on when freshwater first emerged on Earth, study shows
- Friday the 13th luck? 13 past Mega Millions jackpot wins in December. See top 10 lottery prizes
- 14-years old and graduated from college: Meet Keniah, the Florida teen with big plans
- TJ Maxx store workers now wearing body cameras to thwart shoplifters
- Reports: Novak Djokovic set for knee surgery, likely to miss Wimbledon
Recommendation
Sarah J. Maas books explained: How to read 'ACOTAR,' 'Throne of Glass' in order.
Why Kelly Osbourne Says Her Body Is “Pickled From All the Drugs and Alcohol”
Toddler killed and mother injured during tornado in Detroit suburb
Angel Reese is not the villain she's been made out to be
In ‘Nickel Boys,’ striving for a new way to see
Who will Jake Paul fight next? Here are his options after Mike Tyson’s ulcer flareup
Prosecutors want Donald Trump to remain under a gag order at least until he’s sentenced July 11
New Jersey adopts public records law critics say tightens access to documents