DENVER NOTEBOOK: Lots of cops

Note to readers: As promised in this week's WW, Nigel Jaquiss is live-blogging for WWire this week as Democrats gather behind Barack Obama in Denver. Keep up with all the Denver Notebook entries here.

Over the next couple of days, I will try to relay to WW's readers some of what's happening in Denver at the Democratic National Convention.

I just arrived in town and have not yet discovered where the free lobbyist booze is, but one thing is clear: the Denver police are ready for Armageddon. The city has 1,500 cops and I think I've seen most of them—in addition to lots of federal officers— in the few minutes I've been downtown.

There are flocks of cops on bikes; SWAT cops hanging from SUVs and lots of not-so-skillfully disguised plainclothes officers whispering into small microphones.

The local media reports security for the convention will cost $50 million, including $1.2 million for overtime for the locals.

So far, on a sunny Sunday, people seem to be taking more advantage of the Platte River and Cherry Creek than protest parks (what is this ,China?) set aside for those who want more change than Obama is offering.