What Does it Take to Feel Safe These Days?

 Unless you’ve been hibernating, in a coma or simply don’t care about America’s politics, you are acutely aware that 2008 is an election year and the Democratic and Republican conventions are now heating up.

With all of the hype, I have to wonder what kind of security measures are put in place to protect the candidates, their families and present and former political figures.  After doing a bit of research I discovered that you and I are responsible for footing the bill!  That’s right, $100 million dollars in federal taxpayer money has transformed Denver and Minneapolis into a high-tech fortress. 

Both the Republican National Convention taking place in Minneapolis in early September and the Democratic National Convention already underway have been deemed “national special security events”, which means the Secret Service is responsible for planning and implementing the security measures. 24-hour operations centers have been set up to monitor the surrounding areas as well as the convention site.  Sixty-Two federal, state and local agencies are working together in Denver as I pen this piece.  Explosive-sniffing dogs, uniformed officers and undercover agents will be in position throughout the week, as well as mobile command vehicles.   Plus, the FBI is armed with a new system that allows instant communication between field offices enabling them to monitor any potential terror threats.   Other agencies involved in the security of delegates, media and all those involved with the convention include the Transportation Security Administration, Customs and Border Protection, The Federal Emergency Management Agency and Immigration and Customs Enforcement.  Wow!  And with all of that protection and muscle, the local police will still carry the responsibility for street-level security.

Personally, I don’t have a problem with all of this protection.  This country has seen way too much violence and far too many assassinations. If this is what it takes to keep our candidates and all those attending the conventions safe, it’s a small price to pay.