Gainesville officials are preparing for potential visits from political candidates by deciding on the most cost-efficient way to protect them.
At a City Commission meeting Thursday, Gainesville Police Chief Norman Botsford proposed a plan to make security costs more consistent during visits from political or public figures during election season.
Botsford proposed that GPD charge important figures for security to and from events.
During each event, the owner of the facility would be responsible for paying for security, which could be provided by the police.
Security fees for GPD are currently set at $49 per officer per hour, city documents stated.
The proposal was sent to the committee for further discussion.
The question of consistency stemmed from 2004, when Democratic vice presidential nominee John Edwards and President George W. Bush, who was seeking re-election, visited Gainesville.
While one of them was not charged for security, the other was asked to pay, Mayor Pegeen Hanrahan said at the meeting.
With another election approaching, Gainesville should be prepared for visits from political figures, GPD Lt. Keith Kameg said.
It was brought up at the meeting that many cities don't have policies on political security.
Kameg said safety for political figures is an important issue.
"We live in a country of divided beliefs," Kameg said. "When beliefs are considered wrong, danger could be involved."
