Sheriff: Pasco Will Be 'at Full Staff' During RNC

The  sheriff's office is busy preparing deputies and local business owners for the upcoming Republican National Convention, but residents shouldn't worry: Pasco won't see a drop in local presence, Sheriff Chris Nocco said.

During the RNC, some Pasco deputies will be in downtown Tampa patroling for civil disturbances, and will assist at the Hillsborough County Sheriff's detention center. The marine unit and dive team also will be dispatched to Tampa for the event, Nocco said.

But that doesn't mean Pasco will be open to lawlessness next week.

"We're still going to be at full staff in Pasco," Nocco said.

The Pasco SWAT Team will be on heightened alert and there will be enforced patrols in shopping centers and areas where delegates are staying, Nocco said.

Saddlebrook will host to about 200 delegates from Louisiana and Texas during the RNC, however traffic is not expected to be a concern, Pasco County Sheriff's Office spokesman Kevin Doll said in a

To help prepare local business owners, the sheriff's office is offering an RNC Awareness Training Aug. 22 from 8 to 9 a.m. at The Groves Leasing Office, 6013 Wesley Grove Blvd Suite 108, in Wesley Chapel.

"Pasco County will share in the RNC event both in the security concerns and in the influx of visitors. The Groves property will be impacted by this influx of visitors as they seek for retail shopping opportunities, which also increases security risks," according to the sheriff's office Facebook page.

Retailers at The Shops of Wiregrass already have participated in the training, according to the sheriff's office.

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