A sign outside the Marriott City Center in Charlotte exemplifies how strict security is for the Democratic National Convention. (CJ photo by Barry Smith)

Security is tight. Police, guards and deputies are everywhere in downtown Charlotte for the Democratic National Convention.

Rick Henderson, CJ’s managing editor, and I ventured out last night during a break in the rain for dinner and encountered the security, even when we went into a hotel sports bar for dinner.

Henderson, who was in Denver for the 2008 Democratic National Convention, compares this year’s convention to the 2008 convention. You can read his story at CJ Online.