Charlotte's police chief speaks on enforcing DNC rules

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) -- Now that city leaders have made several changes to ordinances ahead of the Democratic National Convention, Charlotte Mecklenburg police chief Rodney Monroe is on the record about what those changes mean.

Tuesday night, Monroe told WBTV who police will be focused on.

"The troublemakers, the agitators," he said. "Those that are looking to do more than just voice their opinions."

City council made those changes Monday over the protests of occupy Charlotte who say the changes violate their right to free speech.

"We're concerned that we would just be harassed for expressing ourselves," said one protester.

But as long as protesters aren't camping out as way to exercise their right to free speech, Monroe say they don't have anything to worry about.

Occupy Charlotte protesters have until January 30 to remove all of their tents.

Another concern Chief Monroe addressed: whether you will be stopped by an officer just because you're wearing a backpack.

"We don't plan on stopping everybody with a backpack going inside that's not what our intentions are," he said. "[But] if that backpack appears to be weighted down, something may be protruding out that backpack that gives us concern, it just gives us the ability to advance ourselves to addressing something that could be harmful."

Still, Chief Monroe says these changes are just the beginning.

"That's something that people will be fully prepared for, told in advance what they cannot bring and you know they'll be more restrictions."

Restrictions that will be stringent especially the closer you are to the venues or if you plan on being inside the security perimeter.