DAYTON, Ohio (WKEF) — Locals react to security fencing and increased police presence downtown.
Vehicle traffic is completely blocked while pedestrian traffic will be limited starting Thursday, changing how residents are getting around. Barriers and fencing are still being put up in several spots downtown but the sheer scale of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly is becoming very clear.
“I don’t know if the world is coming to an end or what, but I never seen or experienced anything like this before,” said Sonya Reed, a Detroit native who’s lived in Dayton for over a decade.
But extra fencing isn’t the only obvious change to the downtown scenery. Dayton police cruisers and unmarked police vehicles are blocking just about every intersection in addition to concrete barriers. And the changes to RTA routes that we’ve been anticipating for weeks now are being implemented.
“I ride the bus so it slowed me down in catching the bus because now they got to make a normal detour and it takes me longer to get where I got to go,” added Robert Sheetz, a lifelong Dayton resident.
With the extra police presence in the area, those Dayton 24/7 Now spoke to said they do feel safe but are nervously anticipating the arrival of protestors, both local and those traveling from out of state, to share their opinions.
“I hope it all goes peaceful. I hope there’s no arguments or fussing and fighting, but just my opinion, you know how people are. People are not getting along nowadays. You know?” said Sheetz. “We need peace. That’s what we need. We need peace in our world,” added Reed.
Dayton and its involvement in international peace is a large part of why the assembly is being hosted here, on the 30 year anniversary of the Dayton Peace Accords. It will also be the theme of numerous panel discussions and public forums for this session.
Our team will be covering NATO all week long and will bring you the latest from inside the NATO village and the changes we’re seeing downtown.