RNC Security

Republican National Convention Information for State Employees (Resource Page)

c.jennings.rnc — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 04:00:45 +0000

Here is a good set of resources for the Upcoming RNC.

Police Eliminating Potential Projectiles in St. Paul for Republican National Convention

c.jennings.rnc — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 03:55:12 +0000

Building managers in St. Paul, Minn., are taking safety measures in preparation for the Republican National Convention and are removing flowerpots, restaurant chairs, and trashcans located outside of businesses. “Anything that can be turned into a projectile will be eliminated from the landscape,” said Matt Anfang, president of the St. Paul Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA). The association has conducted multiple meetings with its members to talk about security precautions for the three-day convention, which is scheduled to kick off on Sept. 1 at the Xcel Energy Center. Increased building security, restricted access to building loading docks, a knowledge of who belongs to which buildings, and how to respond if someone who does not belong enters are BOMA’s chief concerns. Some property managers in the area are issuing elevator codes to tenants, adding security guards, and questioning workers about their plans during the week of the convention. The First National Bank Building is asking all of its offices to develop an emergency plan and is telling all employees to keep their ID on them. Those who live or work close to Rice Park, which falls in the city’s “pedestrian control zone,” also must carry ID, as they may be asked for it at any time.

Read original story here

Latest RNC Protest News

Administrator — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 17:37:12 +0000

Antiwar marchers want to be within sight and sound of RNC delegates…

Republican National Convention officials announced Thursday that they will hold an afternoon session on Monday, Sept. 1. Protest leaders said that could alleviate one of the concerns of demonstrators who fear they’d be marching in front of an empty convention center.

Delegates To Convene After Protesters Depart

ST. PAUL (AP) ― The Republican National Convention is scheduled to convene on September 1 at 2:30 p.m., just half an hour after protesters have been told they must clear the area.

Convention organizers are outlining the schedule for the four-day event at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul.

The longest day is Monday, September 1, from 2:30 to 10 p.m.
On Tuesday through Thursday the convention will be an evening affair, starting at 6:20 p.m.

Protest marches on the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul scheduled for Sept. 1 and 2.

The Anti-War Committee, a Twin Cities peace group, said Tuesday that it will march to the Xcel Energy Center on Sept. 4, the last day of the GOP convention. The third march on the convention site that’s been announced for the four-day event.

Minneapolis Approves 4am Bar Closures

Administrator — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 15:42:08 +0000

“The Minnesota Legislature and the Minneapolis City Council have authorized the Licenses and Consumer Services Division to issue special permits for service of alcohol until 4:00 a.m. during the Republican National Convention”.

A great plus for bars and resturants serving the influx of visitors in town for the RNC. The big question mark is how will the troublemakers make use of these extended hours?

Protester Outline Plans for RNC Convention Disruption

Administrator — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 17:20:42 +0000

In May 2008 The Grand Rapids (Michigan) Chapter of Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) reported that over the past year, protest planning for the GOP event had grown at a “considerable pace” since the SDS endorsed disrupting the proceedings at its 2007 national convention.At that time, the SDS adopted a three-step plan to disrupt the first day of the convention.

First, protesters plan to blockade the Xcel Energy Center, which will host the Republican convention. Second, they plan to disrupt delegates’ transportation to the center. And finally, protesters plan to block the five bridges linking St. Paul to the neighboring city of Minneapolis.

For more on the story, click here.

RNC Event Security Provider Profiled in St. Paul

Administrator — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 16:47:51 +0000

The St. Paul Pioneer Press recently conducted a profile piece on Icon Services Corporation CEO, and RNC Event Security Provider, Elijah Shaw in their Business Section entitled The Other Corporate Securities:

“Elijah Shaw has been preparing for the Republican National Convention for about a year. The big event is a vehicle for connecting his small business to some of the largest Fortune 500 companies — meaning more business for him.

The security and investigations company owner’s pitch: Companies need to start thinking about security now, because if they wait before locking something in, the prices at other companies will go up and the quality of services down. Shaw persuaded seven of these companies to use his St. Paul-based firm to secure their dinner parties, cocktail parties and individual events during the convention and to vet the support staff hired for the events to avoid unpleasant discoveries at a point when there’s no turning back.

“If you’re hosting a Republican who is big on border patrol,” he said. “You don’t want to find out that half of your cook staff are illegal immigrants.”

To read the full article click here.

RNC Parade Route

Administrator — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 15:24:54 +0000

The “authorized” parade route for the 2008 Republican National Convention is now available. One of the big questions is, how will it affect neighborhood businesses?

Click here to view.

Top St. Paul Cop Discusses RNC Security Plans

Administrator — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 15:02:59 +0000

St. Paul Assistant Police Chief Matt Bostrom is the top local police official in charge of planning for security. “Because it’s a media event, any misstep on security from a security standpoint can be instantly broadcast around the globe, which makes it a lucrative target for terrorism,” said Bostrom.

Outside the Xcel Energy Center, thousands of protesters will march and make their voices heard during the four day convention which starts Sept. 1. “We are indeed there to facilitate, and not stop, free speech,” said Bostrom.

For the full article (and accompanying video) click here.

Event Security and Executive Protection Needs for the RNC

j.johnson.rnc — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 00:21:41 +0000

The Republican National Convention is right around the corner and the need for professional and dedicated security personnel is at its highest demand. Icon Services Corporation is looking to fill select Event Security and Executive Protection positions for associated VIP’s and Events. If interested please send your cover letter, resume, and a full length photo of yourself in a suit to careers@industry-icon.com with the header RNC Security.

Justin L Johnson
Assistant Operations Manager/ RNC
Icon Services Corporation

Law Enforcement to secure underground tunnels for the RNC

Administrator — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 19:29:25 +0000

St. Paul Police have been working for months to create a security plan to protect President George W. Bush, the Republican Presidential candidates, and thousands of convention delegates. Not only do police have to secure everything inside the facility, they’re also facing a challenge down below in the tunnels and caves that run beneath the Xcel and through downtown St. Paul…According to St. Paul city employees, there are places people could go and wreak havoc…From caves along the river, to manhole covers—if you know what you’re doing, you could wind up downtown, in places touching the foundations of secured buildings. “We are going to use a variety of means to secure those,” said St. Paul Police Assistant Chief Matt Bostrom.

A good example of the multitude of security concerns that the planners of the 2008 Republican National Convention are faced with.

Original Reporting by KSTP. Click on the link for the full story.