LAPD Declares Citywide Tactical Alert On Election Day

LOS ANGELES, CA — The Los Angeles Police Department declared a citywide tactical alert Tuesday afternoon as voters flocked to polling places on Election Day. The alert comes after many business owners battened down the hatches earlier this week in anticipation of protests, civil unrest or any other incidents that could arise after the polls close.

LAPD said Tuesday afternoon that the alert was not triggered because of any specific event and was purely a proactive move.

"The Department is committed to ensuring that adequate resources are available to ensure all Angelenos are able to safely vote without interference," LAPD Headquarters tweeted Tuesday afternoon. "The Department will continue to assess the needs to maintain a tactical alert based upon the needs and state of the City."

The LAPD has declared a citywide tactical alert to ensure sufficient resources to address any incidents that may arise as a result of Election Day activities, but is not a result of any specific incident.
— LAPD HQ (@LAPDHQ) November 3, 2020

Businesses in Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, Pasadena and Downtown Los Angeles began boarding up their windows Monday while police across the Southland were already on high alert for an unprecedented and unsettling Election Day.

As voting wraps up in the highly contentious presidential election, community leaders are bracing for unrest, including the possibility of large protests and possible looting or violence regardless of the race's outcome.

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti offered up a cautious message, saying there is no confirmed indication of any organized attempt to spark violence or unrest on election day but that LA would be ready for whatever may come.

READ MORE: Police On Alert, Windows Boarded As Unsettling Election Day Dawns

Patch staffer Paige Austin contributed to this report.