http://66.225.205.104/JR20120321a.mp3
Democratic National Convention CEO Steve Kerrigan Organizers of the Democratic National Convention are distancing themselves from efforts by the City of Charlotte to shield convention security details and spending from the public. Charlotte is going even further with its secrecy about security spending than Tampa, which is preparing to host the Republican National Convention. The Charlotte Observer hoped to shed some light on how convention security will affect uptown business and travel by making a public records request for city correspondence. The city responded with a series of heavily redacted emails, citing the need to protect sensitive security details. They include an exchange between Mecklenburg Chief District Judge Lisa Bell and CMPD Chief Rodney Monroe that is mostly blacked out. Bell says her email merely asked if the Courthouse will remain open during the convention. She doesn't know why the question needs redacting. Such secrecy would seem to undercut the Democratic National Convention Committee's repeated insistence on being "open and transparent accessible." But Convention CEO Steve Kerrigan tried to make a distinction in speaking with reporters Wednesday morning. "I have nothing to do with redacted emails," said Kerrigan. "We come before you as often as we can and answer as many questions as you ask." Security plans and perimeters are up to CMPD and the U.S. Secret Service, says Kerrigan, though he does expect more details to be released by "early summer." The DNCC recently hired a director of security to help with those plans. Tom Rosfelder is a former Secret Service agent and head of the Cleveland Electronic Crimes Task Force. The city of Charlotte received a $50 million federal grant for security during the convention.