TAMPA, Fla. (AP) - Tampa-area officers are asking residents to be on the lookout for people who are squatting on foreclosed or vacant properties over the next few weeks.
    
Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office spokesman Larry McKinnon says thousands of out of town protesters are expected to come to the area for the Republican National Convention. He says some might try to pitch tents in the backyards of the area's many foreclosed homes or break into empty commercial buildings.
    
Deputies are urging people to call authorities if they see any odd activity, including the pitching of tents, homemade flags or anarchist graffiti.
    
McKinnon says officers aren't concerned with protesters who are staying in campgrounds or the yards of friends and family.
    
The Republican National Convention will be held in downtown Tampa from Aug. 27-30.

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