Police see communication as key to RNC peace
by The Associated Press
 
MINNEAPOLIS -- Police hope to quell any disruptions at the upcoming Republican National Convention in St. Paul through better communication with leading activists -- such as by sharing cell phone numbers.

About 10 officers met with Justice Department officials at a police academy in Minneapolis Wednesday to review the strategies.

The officers want to maintain communication channels with activists during the convention. The hope is that the officers will be able to stay on top of any escalating violence or other problems and alert other officers or peaceful demonstrators.

Activist Meredith Aby calls it a ``PR move'' by police. She's with the Coalition to March on the RNC and Stop the War, which plans to march September 1 -- the first day of the convention.