Local security firms will likely be busy during DNC

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — With tens of thousands of delegates, dignitaries and celebrities flocking to uptown for the DNC, local security firms are going to be busy. Several have been hired to provide personal security for the week.

Lt. Cathy Spencer is one of hundreds of private security officers assigned a client for the event.  She cannot say who she'll be protecting, but she's spent the past several months training for the big event. She works for Metro Special Police, a Charlotte security company that provides everything from patrol services to bodyguards.

“We have long-term clients, but there isn't a day in the past week we haven't gotten calls from new clients as well," Chief Operating Officer Karl de la Guerra said.

More than 60 of the company's officers, both in uniform and plain clothes, will be working around the clock during the convention, keeping an eye out for anyone remotely suspicious.

"The predominant thing that we're looking for is those individuals who completely stand out in a crowd and come to our attention as security professionals," de la Guerra said.

The company is also urging the public to be vigilant.

Private security companies will be coordinating with local, state and federal law enforcement.

WSOC