TAMPA — Tropical Storm Isaac could force a shakeup of the security plans for the GOP convention in Tampa, because about half of the expected officers come from other parts of Florida and some could be forced to stay home for the storm, authorities said Thursday.
But Gov. Rick Scott said the Florida National Guard is ready to step in if needed to fill the gap.
More than 3,500 officers from 59 law enforcement agencies from around the state are scheduled to come to Tampa to patrol the streets as the convention opens Monday. About half would come from outside Hillsborough County and the city of Tampa.
About 1,700 National Guard troops were already expected to help with patrols.
“We have a process where we can call up more National Guard as quickly as we need them,” Scott said. “If we know now that some individuals are not going to show up we have plenty of time to add more National Guard, but at this time we don’t see that we’re going to have a problem.”
The storm is forecast to start affecting South Florida on Monday and could reach the Tampa area by Tuesday.
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