Heavily armed security boats patrol Milwaukee River during GOP convention

Instead of kayakers and tour boats, the summertime scene on the Milwaukee River has taken on a solemn tone this week during the Republican National Convention: Around-the-clock patrol boats, some with heavily armed officers.

Security planners have had to contend with the winding waterways through Milwaukee near the Fiserv Centre RNC convention site, along with securing downtown streets. Roughly half a dozen police departments, along with state and federal agencies, have boats patrolling the river 24-hours-a-day until the convention ends this week.

They're committed to working those long shifts, throughout the days and nights, US Coast Guard Lt Joe Neff said. They've been all on board for making sure public safety is priority.

Associated Press journalists were allowed on board a 29-foot US Coast Guard boat Wednesday to observe. The boat, typically used for search-and-rescue operations, travelled near the secure zone of the convention site via Lake Michigan and the river that empties