'Prepared' Secret Service, police have new equipment if needed

By Daniel J. Chacon, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published August 23, 2008 at 12:05 a.m.

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Photo by Tim Hussin / The Rocky

Elizabeth Light of Unconventional Denver demonstrates Aug. 15 at the detention center, where those arrested during the convention will be processed. "I hope . . . nobody causes any problems," said Detective Martin Vigil, of Denver.

Photo by Barry Gutierrez / The Rocky

Deputies set up a station for taking mug shots at the Denver sheriff's Temporary Arrestee Processing Center, which was opened to the media for a tour. The warehouse can hold up to 400 detainees.

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Denver has assembled an army of police and stocked up on an array of new equipment to deal with the unknown during the Democratic National Convention.

Mayor John Hickenlooper said the city and its partners developed what may be one of the most comprehensive security plans for an event of this magnitude.

"You never know what you don't know, but we have spent more time planning and training than I think any city in history for a national convention," he said.

The Secret Service, the agency in charge of designing and implementing the overall security plan, is confident that authorities will be ready to address any issue that might come up, spokesman Malcolm Wiley said.

"That's not to say that things won't happen, but what we're saying is that we're prepared to deal with anything," he said.

Working under the guidance of the federal agency, the city and others have been working for more than a year to develop a security plan that includes rooftop snipers, restricted airspace and shutting down Interstate 25 for four hours Thursday evening.

Reinforcements from across Colorado and beyond, including a mounted patrol unit from Wyoming, will be on the streets of Denver, doubling the 1,500-member police force.

"Certainly, there will be an increased police presence near the venues," he said. "Folks can expect to see law enforcement on some rooftops near the Pepsi Center and near Invesco Field."

Other security arrangements are covert.

"There will be lots of security measures in place that will not be visible to the eye," Wiley said.

Denver received a $50 million federal grant to pay for convention-related security costs, including equipment and personnel.

With some groups promising to "disrupt" the convention and menacing Internet chatter floating around, police have been training for a worst-case scenario.

"If you're throwing a birthday party at your house and you invite 100 people, you prepare for 100 people. If 120 show up and you got some steaks in the freezer, you yank them out and use them," said police Detective Martin Vigil, president of Denver's police union.

Some of the meatier items in Denver's security stockpile include a tactical armored vehicle that withstands bullets, a $750,000 truck to handle hazardous materials, guns that fire pepperballs, surveillance cameras and other equipment for crowd control and mass arrests.

Vigil said police hope they don't have to use the new equipment but they do expect trouble.

"I hope to God it goes easy, safe and nobody causes any problems. But we're prepared," he said.

chacond@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-5099

Security profiles

Securing the Democratic National Convention is a complex undertaking involving many federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.

An executive steering committee has overseen 17 subcommittees on topics including civil disobedience, communications, explosive mitigation and air intrusion. Here is a look at some of the key players involved in the planning:

Ronald Perea

* Job title: Special agent in charge, Secret Service, Denver

* Age: 52

* Hometown: Albuquerque

* Background: Five years with the Albuquerque Police Department; 24 years with Secret Service

* Years in Denver: One

* Role: The Secret Service is mandated to coordinate all security plans for the DNC, partnering with other federal, state and local agencies to achieve a common goal of safety. The Secret Service is specifically responsible for securing the venues.

* Role during DNC week: Spend the first part of the week splitting time between the multi-agency command center, the Pepsi Center and Invesco Field. When Sen. Barack Obama arrives in Denver, Perea will be with his security detail.

* Biggest concern: Making sure the Democratic process goes on as it's supposed to and that the delegates are safe.

* Prediction for how the DNC will play out: "I'm very confident as far as the security mechanisms we've put in place. I think Denver will be showcased."

* First thing he'll do when the DNC is over: Start planning for the election and then the inauguration.

"My anniversary was this month. I owe my wife a trip somewhere," Perea said. "We'll see when we can fit it in."

Peter Weir

* Job title: Executive director, Colorado Department of Public Safety

* Age: 55

* Hometown: Golden

* Background: More than 30 years in law enforcement, including former district court judge, former executive director of the Colorado District Attorney's Council and former prosecutor

* Years in Denver: 45

* Role preparing for the DNC: Assigned, at the direction of Gov. Bill Ritter, to coordinate all safety and security responsibilities of state government during the DNC

* Role during DNC week: Will work at the Multi-Agency Coordination Center to direct the assistance being provided by the State Patrol, CBI and other state agencies to the Secret Service, FBI and Denver police

* Biggest concern: "That the efforts of state agencies to assist our federal and local partners is effectively coordinated."

* Prediction for how the DNC will play out: "I think the convention will be a very safe, outstanding event that will showcase Denver and the state of Colorado to the nation and the world."

* First thing he'll do once the DNC is over: "I plan to take my kids to a ballgame."

Michael Battista

* Job title: Deputy chief of operations, Denver Police Department

* Age: 49

* Hometown: Denver

* Background: 261/2 years with Denver police

* Years in Denver: Native

* Role during DNC week: Incident commander for the city of Denver

* Biggest concern: Providing a safe and secure environment for all participants in the DNC and the city

* Prediction for how the DNC will play out: "Host a historical event in Denver while the Police Department supports individuals' rights to express their First Amendment rights."

* First thing he'll do once the DNC is over: Begin working on a demobilization plan and compiling after-action reports

Mason Whitney

* Job title: Director of the Governor's Office of Homeland Security

* Age: 63

* Hometown: Wichita, Kan.

* Years in Denver: 30

* Background: Retired in 2007 as a major general with the Colorado National Guard. Spent 39 years in the military in the Air Force and the Air National Guard.

* Role: Sits on the executive steering committee. Maintains situational awareness for the governor; advises governor on strategies to respond to or recover from any disaster.

* Biggest concern: Despite intense preparation, there's a lot of unknowns that officials can't prepare for.

* Prediction for how the DNC will play out: "I feel very confident that we're able to handle situations as they occur."

* First thing he'll do after the convention: "I think I'm going to take a couple days off to kick back and relax a little bit."

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