Public officials are already hyping the APEC conference and potential protests to justify the intensification of security measures in Honolulu. When the Asian Development Bank held its meeting in Honolulu, the city police were militarized with new equipment and training. There were approximately 1000 protesters including international delegations.
APEC is a more high profile event with heads of state including President Obama. This will mean crazy militarization of the streets in Honolulu, and a big price tag.
The Honolulu Star Advertiser reports:
Janet Napolitano, secretary of homeland security, is expected soon to designate the 2011 APEC conference a National Special Security Event, or NSSE, making Hawaii eligible to tap federal resources, including cash and law enforcement personnel.
The designation is typically given to U.S. events attended by a large number of dignitaries and which hold “national significance,” thus requiring larger-scale security coordination. Previous NSSEs have included national political conventions, Super Bowls and the Academy Awards.
