Mayor Johnson discusses city's safety plan ahead of Republican debate

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson spoke at City Hall Wednesday morning about the city's plans to handle safety during the GOP debate. 

He's been vocal about his excitement to host big events like this. But many people have been skeptical of the crime in the city and how city officials are combatting it. 

Mayor Johnson says he has complete faith in the Milwaukee Police Department and its plan for the debate. 

He says they've learned a lot from the large gatherings Milwaukee's already hosted this year, like the Harley Homecoming Festival, plus dozens of other festivals and past events that've gone wrong. 

"It's public safety you want for these events to go off without a hitch, you want them to be safe for all the attendees, all the visitors, all the travelers, all the people who live in the city of Milwaukee and have the opportunity to have their city to be in the national -- and really the global spotlight, right?" said Mayor Johnson. "So, it's important to make sure we host a safe event for everybody."

The mayor says Milwaukee's police chief has been in touch with some of the groups who plan to demonstrate outside of the debate and they're expecting a peaceful night.