WAUSAU, WI (WSAU) — Marathon County Sheriff Chad Billeb knows what it’s like to work with the Secret Service to secure a visit from a high-profile figure like the President or a political candidate.
Billeb says while the national agencies take the lead on securing the event, his office plays a major role as well- providing institutional knowledge. “When they land at Central Wisconsin Airport and they are going to go somewhere like Wausau or Kronenwetter, wherever that might be. We help bridge that when they reach out to our office. We make sure they have those connections.”
He says they don’t always get all the details behind every visit, but the information that is shared is thorough and well-planned. “They are very transparent with us on that information.”
Billeb says when plans for a Presidental visit or a visit from another dignitary come together they are always made with the safety and security of everyone in mind. “We do everything we can to prevent a tragedy. That is our goal in everything that we do. I can’t answer questions about what might have happened in Pennsylvania, I don’t know enough about it. But, when the Secret Service comes here, we are the ones telling them ‘oh by the way, you have an intersection here. There is construction in this area that you need to be mindful of.
“They rely on that local knowledge. I want our community to know when they come to us we are going to be there for them regardless of the candidate to make sure they have a safe event and that our citizens, who are going to these events, are also safe,” added Billeb.
Billeb notes his office had a positive experience working with President Trump’s team in 2018 and 2020 when the Republican held rallies at the Airport in Mosinee.
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