They’re putting the finishing touches on the site of the Democratic National Convention, which will officially start Tuesday in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Delegates are already starting to arrive in advance of the convention, which will see President Barack Obama try to rally the Democrats in advance of the election.

With protesters expected to show up along with the delegates, a security perimeter is already in effect, covering just over half of downtown Charlotte.  

Police said they’ll be taking no chances amid signs that demonstrators are planning to disrupt the three-day event.

Eight kilometres of 2.7-metre-high fencing surrounds the arena where most of the convention will be held.

Charlotte’s police chief said he travelled to Tampa for the Republican Convention to see how police there controlled the crowds.

“We’ve been planning for the last eighteen months, same as Tampa, we’ve shared notes throughout that whole process,” he said.

Special guests are expected to include former presidents Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter.

President Barack Obama gives his keynote speech Thursday night at the stadium that usually plays host to the NFL’s Carolina Panthers.