Oklahoma City took no chances with security at this year’s Southern Republican Leadership Conference. Security was so tight, some Republican campaigns seemed more than happy that state law enforcement served as a blockade from reporters as well.
Past SRLCs in recent years did not have such rigid security measures. The Daily Caller learned that a private security firm hired to work SRLC this year was told its services would not needed, as the Oklahoma State troopers and FBI would handle the conference security this year.
One SRLC organizer told TheDC that Oklahoma law enforcement told event officials that, “We’re not gonna have another Garland, Texas,” referencing the shoot out between Texas law enforcement and a jihadist outside of an art show displaying depictions of the Islamic prophet Mohammed earlier this month.
In fact, one reporter told TheDC that he spotted a bomb squad vehicle sitting outside the Cox Convention Center. A tactical unit was securing the area as well.
Although there is a heightened awareness of potential terror threats at major venues where high-profile figures would be in attendance, nevertheless, Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin told TheDC there were no serious threats towards the event she knew of.
“That is just Oklahoma hospitality. We believe in taking care of our guests that are here and making sure it’s a safe secure event. It’s something we take very seriously, but there’s no threats that I know at this event,” she said.
Oklahoma Republican Sen. James Lankford said he did not know of any threats either, but said, “I know there is heightened security on a lot of events like this. As the presidential year approaches and after what happened in Garland, Texas, when you have people drive four states across and then do a shooting at a facility, so there is a little bit of a shift that is occurring,” he said.
He continued, “We’ve got to make sure that people have access. Frankly this is no different than a lot of events I’m at in DC, where there’s this kind of security on the outside. If you got a badge, you’re fine and you’re on your way in. If you don’t they want to know who you are.”
Security blockaded at least four Republicans presidential candidates and likely candidates blew off reporters. SRLC organizers did not set up time slots for the individuals within the 2016 Republican presidential pool after their speeches and most campaign handlers told reporters their candidate or likely candidate would be unavailable after giving remarks.
As a result, handlers with Jeb Bush, Scott Walker, Rick Perry and Chris Christie were hurried out the back hallways of the Cox Convention Center. Reporters who attempted to follow candidates were stopped by security from tailing the candidates. Others who did make themselves available for questions were: Carly Fiorina, Bobby Jindal, Ben Carson, Rick Santorum and Mike Everson.