GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Thousands of people are expected to descend on downtown Green Bay Friday for a number of high-profile events happening simultaneously.
The slate Friday evening includes: Donald Trump's rally at the KI Convention Center; the Tall Ship Festival in Leicht Memorial Park; Fridays on the Fox on the City Deck; the NiteLite 5k run starting on the City Deck; and a fireworks display over the Fox River.
"The police department is currently working with other law enforcement agencies and the Secret Service to determine the best operational plan for every attendee to Mr. Trump's speech and the activities downtown," says Capt. Kevin Warych of the Green Bay Police Department. "Public safety is our number one priority and we work with all the stakeholders in all of this so that the traffic routes are clearly marked, or even closed and re-routed."
Warych did not say which streets may be closed.
According to the Republican Party of Brown County, the Trump campaign is preparing for 5,000 people to attend his town hall event with his vice presidential nominee Mike Pence. The event could also attract protesters, since Trump's first Wisconsin primary rally did in Janesville.
"When we plan for a presidential campaign, coupled with a large Tall Ship Festival and Fridays on the Fox, we have scenarios we discuss within the police department and other local jurisdictions," Warych says. "And we 'what if' these scenarios so that we can discuss these and try to develop some plans so if something does happen with a seamless transition."
Warych adds that those discussions have taken place, but would not go into further detail about them.
Some people who don't plan on being part of the throng of Trump supporters at the KI Convention Center include some top Republican names in Wisconsin.
On Wednesday, Gov. Scott Walker's campaign spokesman says Walker will be touring damage from flooding in northern Wisconsin. U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson and House Speaker Paul Ryan say they also have scheduling conflicts.
In the 8th Congressional District race, just 1 of the 3 Republicans seeking the open seat says he will be there. That's Wisconsin State Sen. Frank Lasee (R-De Pere). Candidate Mike Gallagher's spokesman says he has a scheduling conflict, while Terry McNulty has not announced his plans as of Wednesday afternoon.