GOP CONVENTION SECURITY TIGHT: LOCAL DELEGATE SAYS RIOTS ARE A CONCERN

Republican delegates are coping with tight security at their party's convention in Philadelphia this week.

"Security is unbelievable," said state Sen. Peter Kinder, an at-large delegate to the convention and a member of the GOP's platform committee. "People say they have never seen anything like this."

The Missouri delegation is staying at the Holiday Inn in Cherry Hill, N.J., a short drive from Philadelphia's First Union Center where the convention is being held.

Kinder said the hotel is being guarded by two uniformed police officers, two New Jersey state police officers and several National Guardsmen in full combat gear.

Kinder said the delegates are transported in buses to the convention center, which is next to Veterans Stadium.

The buses aren't allowed to enter the convention center grounds until security officers have inspected the buses. Bomb-sniffing dogs are used to check around the outside of the buses, Kinder said.

The state senator from Cape Girardeau said the security officer who boarded his bus even checked the bathroom.

Delegates' bags are searched as they enter the convention. Police have closed off some streets around the convention center. Helicopters provide surveillance overhead.

"I can't imagine what Philadelphia and the state is spending on security," said Kinder.

Kinder said authorities are concerned about the possibility of riots.

"They are worried about what happened in Seattle," Kinder said, referring to the rioting that occurred at the World Trade Organization talks. "A lot of the same crazies have shown up here," he said.

Delegate Donna Lichtenegger of Jackson said Republican delegates were treated to a parade of boats and a fireworks display over the Delaware River Sunday night. "The fireworks display was incredible," she said.

Sunday night also had its share of receptions and parties, including one put on by Chrysler that featured Hank Williams Jr. The Missouri delegation was treated to a reception at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts.