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Sources: National media outlets, private companies step up RNC security in wake of French attack

Posted at 4:13 PM, Jul 15, 2016
and last updated 2016-07-15 17:16:55-04

Sources told our affiliate WEWS-TV in Cleveland that national media outlets and private companies attending the Republican National Convention are ramping up security in the wake of the Thursday's terror attack in Nice, France.

French officials said 84 people were killed when a man drove a truck full of weapons into a crowd celebrating Bastille Day.

"Everybody's asking the same relative question. Should we be concerned?" said Tim Dimoff, president of SACS Consulting & Investigative Services, based in Akron.

Dimoff said his firm is providing security for business leaders and national media outlets during the convention.

"We're seeing a big increase in actual security personnel requests," he said.

"They want people. Security, law enforcement, somebody who's personnel, who can make judgment calls, who can talk to people, who can prevent stuff from happening," Dimoff added.

Clients have called requesting to add personnel at several locations around Cleveland during the convention.

He said clients are also requesting additional surveillance equipment to monitor events from every angle.

He said high tech cameras can be attached to cars, even trees and viewed from a distance.

In spite of the two recent, high-profile attacks, Dimoff is optimistic the convention will take place without any major security incidents.

"If you've made the right preparations, and you've done it correctly, you should be in a very good way., and you should be confident that everything is going to be okay," he said.

There are approximately 15,000 credential members of the media expected to attend the convention, which begins Monday, July 18.