DNC security plans in the works for Milwaukee County courts.

Byline: Michaela Paukner, mpaukner@wislawjournal.com

As Milwaukee prepares to welcome an estimated 50,000 people to the Democratic National Convention in July, staff employees at the Milwaukee County courts are devoting their time on the people who do business in the city every day.

The courts' Security and Facilities Committee is working with several local, state and national organizations to keep the courts open during the convention, which will last from July 13 to 16.

City officials announced the extent of a planned DNC security zone in January. Once set up, it will encompass much of the west side of downtown Milwaukee (see map). Fiserv Forum will serve as the main convention venue putting tens of thousands of people and tight security in close proximity to the Milwaukee County Courthouse.

Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Mark Sanders and other members of the Security and Facilities Committee have been talking to the FBI, U.S. Secret Service and U.S. Marshals to form a plan to keep the courts operational and the DNC safe.

"There will be some challenges by the presence of the convention, but we're working on a plan and will have a plan ready for the first quarter," Sanders...