Jacksonville‘s county constable dealt a brand-new blow to the Republican National Convention on Monday with an announcement that his department likely won’t be able to offer security for the occasion next month in Florida.
” With less than 40 days up until the anticipated Republican National Convention is slated to arrive in Jacksonville, I am compelled to reveal my substantial concerns about the viability of this occasion,” Duval County Constable Mike Williams stated at a news conference. “I can not state with confidence the occasion or the community will not be at threat.”
His department does not have sufficient funds or workforce for the occasion– and the Republican National Committee has actually stopped working to supply a “solid plan” for the convention, Williams discussed. “This is not going to work,” he added.
The Republican sheriff left open the very slim possibility that something may still be worked out. A convention would usually be prepared over an 18- month duration, he stated.
” I can’t forecast the future, [but] as it stands today, we can’t support the plan moving on as is,” Williams said. “I do not have what I need to keep this event and our community safe.”
The sheriff emphasized that his primary objective is to protect the neighborhood.
” It’s easy to build a giant fence and put somebody in the middle of it and keep them safe,” he added, describing the convention.
” We’re worried about what’s happening outside the fence and dealing with the consequences of that for who knows how long,” he stated, evident