The Cabarrus County Sheriff’s Office has dedicated 15 deputies to train to help when the Democratic National Convention comes to Charlotte and Concord on Sept. 3.
“With all the amenities we have in our county we are probably going to catch a lot of it,” Sheriff Brad Riley told Cabarrus County commissioners recently during their annual retreat. “We will have some of the dynamics of what is going on downtown here as well.”
Cabarrus County also is one of five zones designated by the National Security Agency as a security priority during the convention, according to county officials. The other four are in Mecklenburg County.
“That’s mainly because of the Speedway,” Riley said. “We do know that we’re getting the one event here in Cabarrus County. That’s going to be a big deal.”
In January, Democratic National Convention planners announced that the event would come to the Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord on Labor Day to celebrate the Carolinas, Virginia and the South.
Riley said the zones were decided based on where the Democratic National Convention would spend money to be increase security. The DNC will reimburse overtime paid to local law enforcement officers during the convention.
Convention planners also announced in January that the final night of the convention will be in the Bank of America Stadium, allowing thousands to attend President Barack Obama’s nomination acceptance speech.
The changes make the upcoming convention one of the most open and accessible conventions in the DNC’s history, according to DNC officials.
Statewide, law enforcement agencies have been asked to lend officers for increased security in Charlotte and Concord during the convention, which has been declared an eight-day national security event, Riley said.
“They are strongly encouraging local communities around us within 50 miles to be the first to train,” Riley said.
Riley dedicated 15 deputies to the training. They will then train other Cabarrus County Sheriff’s Office deputies prior to the convention.
“We’re looking for our entire dept to be as educated and trained as possible,” Riley said.
Commissioner Bob Carruth, a Republican, said he’s concerned about the crowds the convention will draw.
“The DNC tends to have a more raucous crowds show up,” he said.
Riley said, “It’s the darnedest thing I’ve ever seen. I don’t think there’s anything else we can do other than be prepared.”
County Manager Mike Downs said Cabarrus County businesses and officials want the convention to draw people to Cabarrus County because of the economic impact.
“There are going to be a lot of people coming from those delegations who don’t even go downtown,” he said. “They’re just here for the events.”
Cabarrus County has not been assigned a delegation. That will come in March, Downs said.
Contact reporter Karen Cimino Wilson: 704-789-9141.
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