Security Plans Underway for 2020 Democratic National Convention in Milwaukee

Security plans have already begun for the 2020 Democratic National Convention, which will take place in Milwaukee, Wis., on July 13-16, 2020.

• By Jessica Davis
• Mar 14, 2019

Security plans have already begun for the 2020 Democratic National Convention, which will take place in Milwaukee, Wis., on July 13-16, 2020.

"The planning has already started. It starts with our Homeland Security, our Fusion center and identifying the different types of threats that we are going to be looking at when this comes around," Milwaukee Police Chief Alfonso Morales said.

According to Morales, his team was part of the DNC site selection committee’s trip to Milwaukee.

Planning has been underway since, as the security plan will involve more than just the city’s police force.

"This utilizes all hands on deck from local police departments. This is not just the city of Milwaukee, this is Milwaukee County, the County Sheriff’s, surrounding jurisdictions as well as the state of Wisconsin as well as our federal partners," Morales said.

Costs to provide security for the DNC were part of a common council resolution passed Monday morning.

"The Milwaukee Police Department and the Milwaukee Fire Department will be working with Homeland Security and the Secret Service to put together a security plan with the DNC and the host committee" Milwaukee Assistant City Attorney Mary Schanning said. "The cost for doing this security is expected to be paid by federal grants in the amount of approximately $50 million."

The funding includes additional liability insurance for the police department.

Morales said members of his department will likely travel to cities where the convention has been held in the past in order to learn more about the event’s security needs.