Ahead Of Chauvin Verdict, Beverly Hills Braces For The Worst

BEVERLY HILLS, CA — Once again, Beverly Hills businesses find themselves boarding up their windows, and its police are telling citizens that everything is going to be okay.

Just like cities all over the country, Beverly Hills is bracing for potential unrest following the verdict in the trial of Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer accused of killing George Floyd. After a cell phone video of the incident went viral, angry crowds smashed and looted expensive boutiques on Rodeo Drive. In the following weeks, the city hosted numerous protests - both right and left-wing, that continued until Inauguration Day in January.

“With the trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin nearing its conclusion, and the potential of increased demonstrations and protest activity across the country, the city of Beverly Hills is taking a proactive approach to ensure our community is safe,” BHPD Chief Dominick Rivetti said in a video statement. “Beginning next week, the Beverly Hills Police Department will be on full alert throughout the residential and business districts. Additionally, other law enforcement personnel and a private security company will offer its support.”

Ahead of the November election, the City Council granted the department an additional $4.8 million that paid for officer overtime, services by two private armed security firms, support from the Santa Paula Police Department, and five temporary BHPD officers. Similar precautions were taken ahead of the Inauguration in January. Ahead of and during the election, officers alternated 12-hour shifts.

The city came under fire for what some called heavy-handed tactics in handling protesters. The city and its police department were named in a lawsuit alleging that it and other nearby cities violated protesters’ constitutional and civil rights through curfews, false imprisonments, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. A month later, a Superior Court judge ruled against the city’s emergency ordinance prohibiting loud gatherings of more than 10 people after 9 p.m. in residential neighborhoods.

The city also announced that on Tuesday (which is also “420,” the unofficial April 20 celebration of cannabis) , BHPD will put out additional officers looking for drivers violating the states’ hand-free cell phone law.

Related coverage:

Judge Rules For Protesters, Nixes Beverly Hills Ordinance | Beverly, MA Patch

Beverly Hills and BHPD Sued For Handling Of Protesters | Beverly Hills, CA Patch

SWAT Teams And Boarded Up Windows: Beverly Hills Prepares | Beverly Hills, CA Patch

Beverly Hills Agrees To Additional $4.8M For Police And Security | Beverly Hills, CA Patch

Protesters Chanting 'Eat The Rich' Loot Rodeo Drive | Beverly Hills, CA Patch