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Jacksonville: Public Safety and the RNC

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Sheriff Mike Williams explained how the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office will protect Jacksonville the city during the Republican National Convention events in August.

 In less than two months more than 40,000 people are expected to witness President Donald Trump accept his party’s nomination in Jacksonville.  

Williams ensures there will be no gaps when it comes to keeping citizens safe during the convention. He said overtime will be a big factor in securing the area around The Vystar Veterans Memorial Arena.

“There is going to be overtime costs, we will have the same number of officers on the street, but there is a significant amount of officers off on those days will have to work RNC related events,” Williams said.

With only weeks to prepare for an event that usually takes months to coordinate. Action News Jax wanted to know, how will the convention downtown impact public safety in other parts of the city.

 “The RNC won’t impact our daily coverage at all. we will have the same number of officers handling calls in our city.”

Williams said more than 2,800 officers from across the Southeast will be in Jacksonville to help.

Action News Jax broke the news Monday when Jacksonville’s RNC rally was designated a “National Special Security Event” freeing up as much as 50 million in Federal Grant Money to pay for overtime and other law enforcement related activities

The sheriff said that designation was critical and will help JSO coordinate resources 30 some agencies State and Federal.