Security On High Alert In Cleveland Ahead Of Republican National Convention
CLEVELAND (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Security is on high alert ahead of Monday's Republican National Convention in Cleveland.
CBS2's Marcia Kramer reported police are setting up check-points and barriers in the wake of the deadly shooting of three police officers in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, as many people are calling for a suspension to Ohio's "open carry" gun law.
Cleveland brought in thousands of police officers and Secret Service agents to guard against possible terror attacks like the recent one in Nice, France.
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"We planned for anything and everything that could happen," Cleveland Police Chief Calvin Williams said.
After the Baton Rouge shooting, there is concern that Ohio's "open carry" gun law could be an unnecessary complication. Steve Loomis, the head of the Cleveland Police Union, wants Gov. John Kasich to ban protesters from carrying weapons.
Kasich said he doesn't have authority to suspend the state's law allowing people to openly carry guns.
Loomis' call came as 57-year-old Steve Thacker showed up with guns at Cleveland's Public Square. He was armed with a semi-automatic rifle and a handgun the day before the start of the Republican National Convention to assert his Second Amendment rights.
Thacker said he was trying to make a statement about his rights. He complained that fees and background checks associated with purchasing weapons results in the government "selling back" his privilege to buy and own firearms.
Workers put the finishing touches on the Quicken Loans Arena where Donald Trump will accept his party's presidential nomination.
Trump and Indiana Gov. Mike Pence appeared for their first joint interview on "60 Minutes."
"I think this is a good man whose talking about the issues the American people care about," Pence said.
Trump also defended his attacks against presumptive Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton.
"I call her 'Crooked Hillary.' She's 'Crooked Hillary' … I didn't ask him to do it, but I don't think he should because it's different for him," Trump told "60 Minutes."
Rep. Peter King, R-N.Y., said Trump needs to prove in Cleveland that he's a "very serious candidate."
"He needs to show once and for all that he's a very serious candidate, that he's made the transition from real estate, television to being a presidential nominee," King said. "He's no longer the candidate of the primary, he's the nominee of a major party for the leading position in the world."
Security is so tight that everyone needs a credential.
(TM and © Copyright 2016 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2016 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
