Friendly troopers and helpful hotel agents at the RNC

MILWAUKEE — During the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee you meet some of the nicest people around.

And, most of them are not from Milwaukee. In fact, most of them are not from Wisconsin.

“I’m enjoying my stay here in Milwaukee,” said Kyleigh Grugin, a Tennessee State Patrol trooper from Knoxville. “We were assigned to staff this checkpoint (on Third Street a block from the Hyatt hotel) and make sure everybody gets where they need to go.”

Thousands of law enforcement personnel have been assigned to work at the convention. My experience has been that they are all friendly, but often not very helpful if one is lost.

“Can you tell me how to get to Kilbourn Avenue near MLK Drive,” I asked an officer at a checkpoint. The response was polite.

“I’m not from around here, so I’m not sure, but I think it’s down that way,” the sheriff’s deputy from Missouri said. “Your best bet, however, would be to find a Milwaukee police officer.”

When you walk back and forth over the same route for a day or two, the officers along the way (they are everywhere) recognize you. Pleasantries are exchanged.

Wednesday, during a lull in assignments, I stopped to visit with trooper Grugin and other officers at the Third Street checkpoint.

“When we got the Milwaukee convention assignment, we knew we would be working the outer perimeter, but that was about it,” said Secret Service agent Noah Chevalier. “I now live in D.C. but I’m originally from Florida. The breeze coming off Lake Michigan reminds me of Florida.”

The Third Street checkpoint officers were from different jurisdictions but united in their duties.

“We’re here to make sure everyone is safe,” said Sheboygan police officer Alex Jaeger. “For us it’s an honor to be chosen to help people at the convention and ensure that they are safe.”

Officer Jaeger got in a plug for Sheboygan before I continued on my way.

“Always check out our bratwurst, but visit us next month for the Mercury boat races,” he said. “There’s always something going on in Sheboygan.”

I have quickly learned that when attending a convention with thousands and thousands of people it’s best to take time to thank the officers for all they do.

I often camp out at the Hyatt lobby where there are tables handy for filing stories for The Gazette. I found that the Hyatt staff welcomes all visitors, even those not staying in a Hyatt room.

Ben Maysonet is a Milwaukee man who works as a front desk agent at the Hyatt.

“I enjoy my work here where I get to meet a lot of interesting people,” Masonet said. “It’s a good feeling when you can help someone solve a problem.”

I got to know Ben who helped me on several occasions. He soon learned what everyone who knows me has learned — Stan has problems from time to time.