Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey Norman issued a warning about carjackings ahead of the Republican National Convention (RNC), which is set to begin next Monday.
Republicans are expected to officially nominate former President Donald Trump as their party’s presidential nominee in Wisconsin—a key swing state in the election—next week.
High-profile Republicans from across the country will descend on Milwaukee to deliver remarks at the convention. The event comes as polls suggest Trump continues to lead President Joe Biden in crucial battleground states with less than four months until Election Day.
At a press conference on Wednesday, Norman warned that there is the potential for carjackings during the convention, local news station WISN reported.
“Obviously, that’s a concern. This is a large-scale event that will draw others, but this is not just specific to this particular event or this particular area. It’s all across our city,” he said.
Norman said Milwaukee has seen a 10 percent increase in carjackings so far in 2024. Police responded to 236 carjackings so far this year, up from 215 at the same point in 2023.
Some carjackings are being committed by people who are traveling from Illinois and are targeting high-end vehicles, he said, noting that carjackings are a “crime of opportunity.” He urged people to take precautions to ensure they do not fall victim to the crime.
“Get off your phone. Yes, I said that. Get off your phone. Be aware of your particular surroundings,” he said.
Milwaukee estimates that more than 50,000 people, including delegates, journalists, police, and other staff, will be in the city for the convention.
Newsweek reached out to the Milwaukee Police Department and the Trump campaign for comment via email.
Safety is always a concern ahead of either party’s national conventions when they officially make their presidential nominations.
According to the city of Milwaukee’s website, the city’s police and fire departments are working with the Secret Service, Wisconsin Emergency Management, and other local and federal law enforcement to ensure the safety of Milwaukee residents and convention attendees.
Ahead of the RNC, the Secret Service said on Sunday there is “nothing credible” in terms of safety threats, Politico reported.
Earlier this week, U.S. District Judge Brett Ludwig ruled that demonstrators cannot cross a “hard” security perimeter while protesting at the convention, writing, “The Coalition members have the right to march in protest of the RNC. Their right to do so lies at the heart of the First Amendment. But the First Amendment does not allow them to protest or parade in any way they choose.”
The convention will begin on Monday and continue through Thursday. Democrats are set to hold their convention about a month later, from August 19 to 22, in Chicago.
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