Hundreds of police staging around Boston on election night
Police presence at the State House, polling places and around Boston was visible throughout Election Day, with hundreds of state and local police staging in the Seaport as a “precaution” for potential unrest.
“We are aware of no specific or credible threats to election sites in Massachusetts at this time,” state police spokesman David Procopio told the Herald on Tuesday night.
Police cruisers lined up by the dozens in a sprawling parking lot behind the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center, poised to respond to any civil unrest as the contentious 2020 presidential election draws to a close.
Boston Police Detective Sgt. John Boyle also said stepped-up patrol numbers were “precautionary.”
Procopio said police “will continue to monitor developing incidents and intelligence through the election and the days beyond to maximize situational awareness, response capabilities, and public safety.”
Businesses on Newbury Street, in Downtown Crossing and around other commercial areas boarded up over the weekend in preparation for potential unrest. Protests are a concern in cities throughout the nation no matter who wins.
Earlier this month Boston Police Commissioner William Gross canceled time off for patrolmen and women “to provide sufficient public safety” around the election.
Gov. Charlie Baker on Monday activated up to 1,000 members of the National Guard — something he has done a handful of times this year.
“Just as the administration does for all major events, we have made additional resources available should local leaders request them,” Executive Office of Public Safety and Security Secretary Thomas Turco said Monday.
The decision by law enforcement to prepare for the worst follows a summer that included many protests in Boston and throughout the nation — several of which devolved to violence.
from Boston Herald https://ift.tt/2TS9v6Q
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