Clean-up begins around the Tampa Bay Times Forum as the RNC draws closer

TAMPA - The Republican National Convention is expected to draw around 15,000 protesters to the area, and city crews in Tampa are doing everything possible to keep people safe. That includes paying attention to area parks.

Tampa Public Works Director Irvin Lee says his department has been preparing for protesters for six months. Two parking lots, on Cumberland and Nebraska Avenue, will be designated areas for those crowds. Public works employees are trimming trees, mowing the grass, removing loose brush and trash and securing manholes in order to make the areas safer for them.

Lee said, "We're just working with not only the secret service, the host committee, all of those who are involved in the organization and planning just to make sure that we have the right areas that they need. The right amount of space. The right kind of access."

Lee says organization and planning for past large-scale events has his department is well-prepared for the RNC. Lee said, "We've worked with the Final Four, the NCAA, we've worked with the NFL for the Super Bowl. We have a variety of activities. Some with varying degrees of security."

Workers will also put up a fence along Brorein Street. Lee says although they are cleaning up the area, people still need to be cautious when exercising their first amendment rights.