CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Republican National Convention may be 10 months away, but NBC Charlotte has learned the security perimeter for next year's RNC will likely be much larger than during the 2012 DNC here, possibly stretching to one of the busiest interstates in town.
A Secret Service spokesperson said the security plan is not yet finalized but said people who live or work inside the perimeter will still have access to their homes and places of business.
"The Secret Service is working diligently with our local, state and federal partners to develop and implement a comprehensive plan to secure and protect all members of the Charlotte community during the 2020 Republican National Convention," a spokesperson said. "This developing transportation plan is dependent on many factors and will be published once it is finalized."
Sources said the security footprint could be much larger than the DNC, and because there's heightened security concerns, it could even stretch to I-277.
"It doesn't surprise me that the perimeter's been pushed out," former FBI Assistant Director Chris Swecker said. "This is two notches up from 2012, frankly because of President Trump and his presence and the strong sentiment across the country, the anti-Trump sentiment. I'm not being political here. I'm just stating a fact that he's very much a lightning rod for certain groups and frankly, certain groups that are intent on coming to Charlotte and inciting violence and getting that media moment that'll draw attention to their cause."
The 2012 DNC security perimeter led to closed roads and parking restrictions that stretched two to three blocks in every direction from what's now the Spectrum Center.
Before 2012, Charlotte passed an ordinance that allowed the city to order certain restrictions in uptown, but that law is no longer on the books, so Swecker said it makes sense that the Secret Service will now have control over more area because that agency can enforce restrictions.
"You want to create the visible security that people will look at and say, 'Gee, I'm not going to try to breach that security. It looks too good to me,'" Swecker said. "Be prepared for delays, be prepared for some hassles and some credentialing and some searches."
Swecker, formerly over the FBI's criminal, cyber and international operations divisions, said the 2020 RNC will go down as the most challenging event security-wise ever for Charlotte and he said people intent on causing violence are already preparing.
"I'm 100% certain that they're fielding threats even as we speak," he said. "There will be more as we get closer to the RNC, but right now I can tell you that they are fielding serious threats."
Swecker said crowd control will be the biggest issue.
The Secret Service said, generally, its security perimeters include law enforcement officers, physical barriers and checkpoints used to screen those authorized to be in the interior of a specified security zone.
"The comprehensive security plan will ensure that those who live and work inside the perimeter will have access to their homes and places of business," a Secret Service spokesperson said.