READ MORE OF OUR RNC COVERAGE HERE
Increased local security measures will be in place in the days leading up to, during and immediately following the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, which runs July 15-18.
The convention will impact vehicular, public transportation and pedestrian traffic Downtown in the areas around the Fiserv Forum, the Deer District, the UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena and the Baird Center. City residents and visitors should expect delays throughout the week and plan accordingly.
“The goal of the U.S. Secret Service and our partners is to ensure a safe and secure environment, while minimizing impact to the public,” Assistant Special Agent in Charge Audrey Gibson-Cicchino, the U.S. Secret Service’s 2024 RNC Coordinator, said. “We understand that security for an event this size will have an impact on the city, and we appreciate residents’ patience and understanding as we work to keep convention attendees, volunteers and the public safe during this event.”
It’s time to pick your Milwaukee favorites for the year!
Temporary road closures will be in effect intermittently beginning July 11. Official closures will begin July 14 and likely run through July 19. The public security map and comprehensive traffic plan, including a complete list of parking restrictions, road closures and maritime restrictions, will be available here.
“Ensuring the information regarding the security plan for the 2024 Republican National Convention gets out to the public is vital. It’ll help reduce impacts to the city and just ensure an easier, safer convention,” U.S. Secret Service spokeswoman Alexi Worley said at a Downtown press conference on Friday morning.
The Republican National Convention has been designated a National Special Security Event by the Department of Homeland Security, a designation that is based in part on the event’s significance, size and attendees. Designating an event an NSSE allows for significant resources from the federal government, as well as state and local partners, to be used to ensure a comprehensive security plan is in place.
“NSSEs are some of the most high-profile events in the world and they require extensive collaboration and cooperation with our local, state and federal partners and the RNC is no exception,” U.S. Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle said. “Together, this team has been preparing for the convention for over a year. They have been thoughtful about community impact, traffic concerns, businesses and most importantly, ensuring a safe and secure, secure convention for attendees and the city of Milwaukee.”
A partnership among federal, state, county and local officials has been working in tandem to develop a safety plan, Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey Norman said.
“The Milwaukee Police Department is committed to keeping the entire city of Milwaukee safe during the RNC,” he said.
What Is the Perimeter for the RNC?
The secure areas for the RNC are divided into a vehicle screening perimeter and a pedestrian restricted perimeter.
Vehicle Screening Perimeter: Residences and businesses inside the vehicle screening perimeter will be accessible to the public. Pedestrians and bicyclists will be able to freely enter the perimeter from any area. Vehicles will be permitted to enter the vehicle screening perimeter, though they must enter through a vehicle screening point. Rideshare/taxi drop-off and hot food delivery will be permitted in the vehicle screening perimeter, but drivers will need to enter through a vehicle screening point.
Pedestrian Restricted Perimeter: The pedestrian restricted perimeter will be accessible only to credentialed or ticketed individuals, such as convention attendees or volunteers. Pedestrians must enter through one of the pedestrian checkpoints, which will be marked on an attendee-specific map distributed to credentialed individuals. Personal vehicles, as well as bicycles and small scooters, will not be permitted to enter the pedestrian restricted perimeter. Rideshare/taxi drop-off and hot food delivery will not be permitted in this perimeter.
Will Trash Services, Mail and Package Delivery Resume During the RNC?
Trash services, mail and package delivery will continue in both perimeters. However, schedules will be shifted for service to occur in the overnight and early morning hours. All deliveries entering either perimeter must first go through the remote delivery site located at Ninth Street and St. Paul Avenue for screening. The remote delivery site will be open beginning at 8 p.m. July 13 and continue operations until 1 a.m. July 19.
Are There Perimeter Restrictions on the Water?
Maritime restrictions will be in place on the Milwaukee River and the waters surrounding Henry Maier Festival Park and Lakeshore State Park. A QR code with the complete list of restrictions will be available on the City of Milwaukee’s website.
Will the Protest Area Be Within the Hard Perimeter?
Cheatle addressed concerns that have been raised about demonstrations outside the RNC. “I would like to reassure everyone the Secret Service and our public safety partners respect every American’s First Amendment right to express themselves,” she said. “The Milwaukee Police Department and other law enforcement partners are well equipped to manage protests and ensure gatherings remain safe for all individuals involved.”
There had been growing pressure from Republicans to include Pere Marquette Park, on the west side of the Milwaukee River and where protesters had planned to gather, in the “hard” security perimeter. The security plan places the park in the hard perimeter.
“The operational security plans for national special security events are developed and approved through an executive steering committee,” Gibson-Cicchino said. “Our security perimeters are based on public safety metrics, which include protective intelligence risk and technical assessments. As the RNC has official convention events taking place within the (Milwaukee County) Historical Society building, the executive steering committee determined that that location would need to fall within the (hard) security perimeter in order to ensure the highest level of safety for the convention.”
Cheatle said the Secret Service has held outreach sessions with more than 1,100 law enforcement and public safety personnel.
“We will host a final training exercise roughly a week before the official arrival of the first delegates,” Cheatle said. “Milwaukee does have a long history of successful independent event planning, including the annual Summerfest celebration, the Harley-Davidson homecoming festival and the 2021 Milwaukee Bucks championship parade. Previous experience and extensive preparation all contribute to a level of confidence ahead of this convention.”
