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Secret Service ramps up governor’s mansion security

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The governor’s mansion is under heavy security less than a week after Donald Trump named Gov. Mike Pence his vice president.

Some people living nearby told 24-Hour News 8 they just noticed the changes Friday evening, but knew it was coming.

Workers spent time moving concrete barriers at the governor’s mansion near 46th Street and Meridian Street. Neighbors also reported seeing armed guards patrolling the front lawn.

“We had, like, at least a half a dozen people over there by the driveway and about three people in the yard,” said Michael Naghdi, who lives across the street.

The governor’s mansion spans more than six acres. Naghdi said he remembers playing there as a young kid when Evan Bayh was governor.

“We used to play football right over there before they planted all these little trees,” he said. “We played football and baseball.”

But times have changed. Naghdi said the Secret Service stopped by his family’s home earlier this week.

“When they came to the door I shook their hands I told them who I was, when I was born, my name and all that stuff,” he said.

Naghdi said they told him expect to see more patrols in the area. The governor is now back in Indiana after wrapping up the Republican National Convention in Cleveland.

Naghdi said he’s looking forward to the general election.

“Just hopefully everything will turn out for the best,” he said.

A spokesperson for the governor said the changes are for safety and protection now that the governor is the vice presidential nominee.