MIDDLETOWN — Snipers, officers in body armor, and military-type vehicles.
All were present for Ohio Sen. JD Vance’s talk with voters in Middletown.
This was his first solo rally since becoming the Republican vice president nominee.
Vance’s rally comes the same day Kimberly Cheatle, director of the Secret Service, was getting questioned by Congress about her agency’s failures during the attempt on Former President Donald Trump’s life at a rally.
News Center 7 saw all kinds of precautions outside, inside, and even above Middletown High School.
>> RELATED: VP candidate JD Vance to hold campaign rally in hometown today
Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers directed traffic at the entrance.
Once on campus, every few steps, one could see police cruisers parked.
Groups of officers patrolled on foot, on bikes, and even in ATVs.
There was a SWAT team near the front entrance and counter-sniper teams on the roof of Middletown High School.
People at the rally told News Center 7 that security at the event was on their minds after the attempt on Trump’s life just a week and a half ago,. but they weren’t concerned about it.
“I did but it can’t keep us away. We can’t live in fear. So we have to come out in support,” Ruby Gade said.
“I do think about security. Definitely,” Colleen Gaier said.
Getting inside was a bit like going to the airport.
People had to empty their pockets and walk through metal detectors.
If anything like a belt or watch set off the machine, uniformed secret service agents wanded them.
Officers with the Dayton Bomb Squad had to check any camera gear bringing it inside.
“Ladies and gentlemen, I came from Middletown, Ohio. I am proud of it. and I will never forget where I came from,” Vance said
Once inside the hallways and auditorium were lined with Secret Service special agents in suits and uniformed police to keep Vance and rallygoers safe.
“I have doubts now with (the) secret service,” Art Frasik said. “But, I think for the most part, they’re going to be protected.”
Vance took off from the Dayton International Airport for his next rally in Virginia.
He is expected to face Vice President Kamala Harris in a debate.
With Harris potentially moving to the top of the ticket, we have to wait to see how the Democrats choose their vice presidential candidate.
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