(MPRN-Lansing) Cleveland is preparing for an estimated 50,000 visitors for the Republican National Convention.
In an effort to help with security, traffic, and crowd control, the Michigan State Police Department is sending 100 troopers to the city for the week. Cleveland sent a request to MSP through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact.
The compact is the nation’s state to state mutual aid system. Jackson State Police Post Commander Kyle Bowman will be a part of the group of troopers going to Cleveland for the week-long convention. Bowman says a lot of their work in Cleveland will be things they have already been trained to do.
“For us, our focus going will be to help with crowd management, help ensure there is a safe, friendly environment, engaging with the public, helping people that are lost, direct them to their resources, and stuff like that,”
Bowman said. This is one of the largest requests MSP has received for assistance, but Bowman says it will not interfere with the needs of Michiganders.
“Specifically within our department we’re just taking a look at what resources we have available,” Bowman said. “Obviously we’re committed to the citizens of Michigan to make sure we don’t have an impact. Most of these troopers were pulled from positions that have the least amount of impact on calls to 911 service.”
The costs associated with the effort will be paid for by the city of Cleveland through federal funding.
