Agencies warn community about increased traffic, security for VP Mike Pence’s visit

CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF) –  Vice President Mike Pence will be visiting Cleveland on Saturday.

It’s all hands on deck in Cleveland.

Community officials are preparing for his arrival. Preparations have been underway for months.

Law enforcement Police have been working with school officials to make sure the security plan is in place and as you can see landscapers are making sure that everything is up to par for the Pence’s visit.

Brian Graves, Bradley County Sheriff’s Office says, “There are a lot of agencies involved when a Vice President’s visit. It’s a distinct privilege to have the Vice President in our area and we want to do everything we can to make sure it’s safe and enjoyable for everyone.”

Vice President Mike Pence is coming to Lee University in Cleveland Saturday.

It’s for a panel discussion and speech hosted by America First Policies. It’s call “Tax Cuts to Put America First.”

Sgt. Evie West, with Cleveland Police, says, “we are so grateful that our city was chosen to have the Vice President. It’s such an honor for him to come and be represented in our city so we are taking every precautionary measure that we possibly can to make sure that he is safe, his staff is safe, our officers are safe and the community is safe.”

The event begins at 11:15 Saturday and doors open at 9:15. The seats are first come, first serve.

Even if you aren’t attending, officials say you must account for the added traffic as well as protesters that have already told officials they will be there.

Dr. Hammond, VP of University Relations says, “it’s a great opportunity to come in, hear the Vice President’s perspective and to entertainment it, think about it and if you are so inclined, to disagree about it. This is what it is to be a university and it may be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our students.”

Several agencies, including Chattanooga and Cleveland Police as well as Bradley and Hamilton County Sheriff’s deputies are working to get the VP from the airport in Chattanooga to Cleveland, meaning a lot of closed roads.

Graves says, “Traffic is going to be the main thing. [The] public’s patience is very important to this. Traffic will be disrupted and that’s just a matter of fact it’s going to happen.”

Stick with the News 12 on social media for a live updates throughout the event as well as a full recap Saturday night on News 12 Now at 11.