Tuesday, July 28, 2020

Police departments begin to withdraw from security agreements for 2020 DNC, some citing directive on crowd munitions

From JSOnline:

Bill GlauberAshley LuthernMary Spicuzza
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel



West Wells Street is blocked at the Wisconsin Center, site of the Democratic National Convention in Milwaukee. Various streets have been partially blocked or fully blocked around the Wisconsin Center in downtown Milwaukee to accommodate preparations for the DNC.
Michael Sears / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

At least three Wisconsin police departments have withdrawn from agreements to send personnel to next month's Democratic National Convention, some of them citing orders to Milwaukee's police chief to cease the use of tear gas and pepper spray during demonstrations.
The moves by police departments in Fond du Lac, Franklin and West Allis cast doubt on a program to bring about 1,000 police officers from outside agencies to help shore up security for the event, scheduled for the week of Aug 17.
Asked on Monday if the agreements were collapsing, Fond du Lac Police Chief William Lamb said, "Yes," adding that he expects other agencies from across the state to withdraw from the program.
"We regret having to do that," said Lamb, who chairs the Wisconsin Police Executive Group, which consists of police chiefs from cities with populations of more than 20,000 people.

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