Whatever decision LeBron James makes tonight, the Bath Township police department is ready to maintain order near the Cavalier superstar's home.
View full sizeLeBron James BATH TOWNSHIP, Ohio -- Whatever decision LeBron James makes tonight, the Bath Township police department is ready to maintain order near the basketball superstar's home.
Police Chief Michael McNeeley said they have an extra squad of police officers working tonight around the James home to make sure there are no problems.
"Whether we get loads of happy fans or unhappy fans showing up outside his home, we will be prepared to keep the traffic moving," he said. "There has been a lot of traffic in the area lately, but there have been no problems."
McNeeley said James has been a good neighbor since he moved into the township about two years ago.
"He has hired our officers to work off-duty at his property," he said. "There has always been an officer there, inside the gate. He has increased the number of officers working there in the past week."
McNeeley said he has a plan in place in case hundreds of people show up that would include calling in aid from surrounding police departments. The Bath force has 20 officers.
"We're hoping we won't need it," he said.
McNeeley said his office has been besieged with calls from people looking for some inside information about James' pending decision to stay in Cleveland or sign with another team.
"People think that because our officers are at his house all the time that we have the inside scoop," McNeeley said. "That's jut not the case. He is very tight-lipped about his plans."