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Heightened security ahead of Vice President Kamala Harris’ Wednesday visit to Indy

Local and state police are working with the Secret Service ahead of an appearance by Vice President Kamala Harris, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee.

INDIANAPOLIS — The race for the White House is coming to central Indiana Wednesday.

Local and state police are working with the Secret Service ahead of an appearance by Vice President Kamala Harris, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee.

The White House announced Harris will attend the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated's Grand Boule at the Indiana Convention Center on July 24.

"My phone has not stopped going off," said Dr. Stacie NC Grant, international president of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated. "I'm just honored to serve my sisterhood for such a time as this and to be able to receive the historic visit of our sitting vice president and presumptive Democratic presidential nominee."

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The vice president will touch down in the Hoosier State Wednesday morning at Indianapolis International Airport.

The high-profile visit is also expected to come with heightened security following the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump and the ongoing scrutiny surrounding the Secret Service.

The Secret Service has previously said they rely heavily on local law enforcement during high-profile visits, which will include the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department and Indiana State Police.

"It's certainly a collaboration of several agencies to make sure that not just the vice president is safe, but to make sure the public remains safe as well," ISP Sgt. John Perrine said. "We have been communicating with our local law enforcement partners and with our federal law enforcement partners to make sure that this is as safe as possible for everyone."

IMPD confirms it will be also providing security for the vice president during her visit. 

Security plans for Harris' visit are confidential, but former FBI agent and security expert Doug Kouns gave 13News some insight.

Kouns said planning usually starts weeks in advance. Local agents also typically inspect the venue and identify any potential security threats.

"The service will typically send an advanced team to the venue. That's basically to scout out the situation to know where there are vulnerabilities and how to mitigate any risks that might pose a threat," said Kouns, owner of Veracity IIR in Carmel. "So, an indoor venue is much easier to control. An outdoor venue is much more difficult, as we have seen from recent history."

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Kouns said he wouldn't be surprised if there are more precautions taken at Wednesday's event after the recent security lapse at Trump's rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.

"I think there will be more resources thrown at it. There will be more metal detectors. The perimeters will be tighter," Kouns said.

Credit: WTHR
Vice President Kamala Harris spoke in Indianapolis in July 2023 as part of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated's National Convention.

In the meantime, the sorority is ready to celebrate its sisterhood and the historic visit.

"Never in a million years did I think it would turn into where we are now with the opportunity to be a part of history," Grant said.

Harris will take part in a moderated conversation at Wednesday's event, which is closed to the public.

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