Public is invited to speak at hearing on RNC security

Last update: October 31, 2008 - 11:31 PM

The seven-member commission led by two former federal prosecutors to investigate security at the Republican National Convention will hold a public hearing next week.

People will have up to three minutes to talk about their experiences during the event, which was held Sept. 1-4 at the Xcel Energy Center.

The hearing will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the Hallie Q. Brown Community Center, 270 N. Kent St., in St. Paul.

The review will focus on interaction between the community and police during the convention and the Saturday before. It will look at events outside the Xcel Energy Center only. Individual cases of alleged misconduct by police or citizens won't be included.

The convention was hailed as a success by Mayor Chris Coleman and others for putting St. Paul on the world stage.

Others decried the bulked-up security presence and accused police of using excessive force and making unnecessary arrests. More than 800 people were arrested.

People who can't make the meeting can submit a written comment by Nov. 14 to Lucie Passus at lucie.passus@stpaul.gov.

The commission has a Dec. 15 deadline to submit its findings and recommendations.

CHRIS HAVENS

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