Cleveland cops sending truckloads of water to Philadelphia

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CLEVELAND (AP) — Two refrigerator trucks filled with cases of donated bottled water, sports drinks and corned beef sandwiches were being driven from a Cleveland police union hall to Philadelphia on Monday to give to law enforcement officers providing security during the Democratic National Convention in that city.

People donated thousands of cases of water, non-perishable food and sundries like suntan lotion last week at the Cleveland Police Patrolmen’s Association hall for use by police in Cleveland last week during the Republican National Convention, union president Steve Loomis said.

“I’ve never seen anything like it,” Loomis said as volunteers finished loading one of the trucks.

People began dropping off donations the Friday before the Cleveland convention’s start on July 18, Loomis said. Volunteers handed out a truckload of water and sports drink to police and protesters alike on each day of the four-day Republican convention, Loomis said. A social media post thanking those who donated items to police prompted even more donations, Loomis added.

About 2,800 law enforcement officers from around the country supplemented 500 Cleveland officers during a convention that saw only two dozen arrests and no serious injuries.

Cases of snacks such as granola bars have been given to homeless shelters in Cleveland, Loomis said. Horses and police dogs working the convention weren’t forgotten. People donated apples, a 50-pound bag of carrots for the horses and rawhide for the dogs.

Philadelphia might be known for its cheesesteak sandwiches, but officers working the Democratic convention will get a chance to try one of Cleveland’s iconic foods — corned beef sandwiches from Slyman’s Deli, which has been visited by presidential candidates from both parties over the years.

By Mark Gillispie

Associated Press

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