SPRINGFIELD — Springfield Mayor Rob Rue and Congressman Mike Turner talked about additional resources the city is getting from the state -- and trying to get from the federal government -- to help with threats.
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As reported on News Center 7 at 6:00, Rue said this is to deal more efficiently with the bomb threats. Within the last two weeks, the City of Springfield has responded to over 40 threats, including at city hall.
People who live in Springfield say they are tired and want life to go back to normal.
“I’m not leaving my house when he comes. I’m going to cancel appointments. It’s going to be a madhouse,” Becky Buckley said about former President Donald Trump’s announcement that he wants to visit Springfield.
Buckley said she feels like the city has been stretched thin within the last two weeks.
“We are going to need more support. Springfield just can’t support it,” Buckley said.
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Rue, also on Thursday, issued a proclamation that will speed the process to get emergency resources because of the threats.
“The emergency declaration helps us to manage the financial impact of these threats by allowing us to act swiftly to prevent harm and reduce long-term costs that could cause strange our city resources,” he said.
State, county, and city leaders gathered Thursday afternoon to address the threats and Trump coming to the city.
“So my job is to continue to talk about what the facts are,” Gov. Mike DeWine said. “Try to cool things down so that we can deliver the services. People can go about their lives.”
Heidi Earlywine. a representative of the Haitian community, said Haitians are fearful.
“I leave my house to get in my car to go to work, and I go from my car into my house, and that’s the only time I go outside,” Earlywine said.
Buckley said no political candidate should come.
“I don’t think anyone would be good unless they’re trying to promote peace,” Buckley said.
Thursday night, Turner (R-10th District) took to social media to weigh in on the Haitian situation in Springfield. He said he hosted Rue in Washington to meet with Homeland Security and Labor to detail the impacts of the Biden-Harris administration’s policies and request assistance for the community, but they declined to help:
What is happening in Springfield is tragic.
— US Rep. Mike Turner (@RepMikeTurner) September 20, 2024
Springfield has a population of about 60,000 people, but the 15,000 to 20,000 Haitian migrants that were flown into the community have put a significant strain on housing, hospitals, and schools.
I hosted Mayor Rob Rue in Washington,… pic.twitter.com/njawFQAFVk
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