Cleveland officials were all smiles Friday morning as they gave their final press briefing on the Republican National Convention which many have deemed a big success. After some concerns about the city not being prepared, officials say Cleveland has proven the nay-sayers wrong. From Ohio Public Radio station WKSU, Kevin Niedermier reports.
Police Chief Calvin Williams attributes Cleveland’s RNC success to years of planning, help from 2,800 out of town law enforcement officers, a little luck, and lots of prayers.
Only 24 arrests were reported from protests that officers routinely de-escalated without force.
Williams says Cleveland will not send officers to the Democratic National Convention starting in Philadelphia next week, but what was learned here will be used there….
“We still have work to do here, so no we’re not going to Philly. We actually had officers from Philly here during the convention to observe. We’ve had conversations and we'll continue to have conversations with the command staff in Philly.”
Mayor Frank Jackson believes the convention’s success will boost the city’s image as a place to visit, do business in, and to live.