In anticipation of Tuesday’s election, business owners in Washington, D.C., have boarded up storefronts, and security fencing has been erected around major government buildings, including the White House, Capitol building, and Vice President Kamala Harris’s residence.
The Secret Service has installed eight-foot-tall metal fencing around the White House, Treasury Department, and parts of Lafayette Square, as reported by the Washington Post.
Fencing has also been placed outside the Naval Observatory and Harris’s residence. While officials report no specific threats, Washington’s police chief reassured the public at a press conference, stating, “There is no need for alarm.”
Additional security measures include temporary barriers around the Capitol and “Police Line: Do Not Cross” signage around the perimeter.
In West Palm Beach, Florida, where former President Donald Trump plans to hold his election night event, the Secret Service has also increased security around the convention center.
The Secret Service released a statement on Sunday emphasizing collaboration with federal, state, and local authorities in both Washington, D.C., and Palm Beach to ensure Election Day safety.
“These enhancements are not in response to any specific issue but are part of broader safety preparations,” the agency clarified.
In downtown D.C., building owners near the White House have either boarded up or fenced off street-level shops and businesses.
Business association leaders, recalling the damages from 2020 protests, have advised taking precautions.
Eric Jones, vice president of government affairs for the Apartment and Office Building Association of Metropolitan Washington, explained, “There’s concern, but we’re not expecting full-scale pandemonium like after January 6 or four years ago.”
Jones added that some retailers outside the downtown area are also taking measures, fearing possible looting while police resources are concentrated in central D.C.
“People would rather be overprepared and have nothing happen,” he said, noting high engagement from business owners who are preparing cautiously.
To ensure security coverage, D.C.’s full police force of 3,300 officers will be working extended 12-hour shifts.
Additionally, Admiral Security Services, which provides security for 150 commercial buildings in the area, will deploy around 2,000 guards to work extended hours near key areas like the White House and the Capitol.
Meanwhile, a recent New York Times report revealed that some Democratic government workers have been leaving D.C. since the Trump-Biden debate, anxious about potential unrest.
One staffer admitted they were “scared” but would wait until after the election to decide on their future.
The report noted increased alcohol sales at some local stores, fueling a tense mood in the capital.
Jack Posobiec, host of Human Events Daily, tweeted, “NY Times reports Democrat staffers are quitting on the Hill, and drinking is way up in D.C. They know what’s coming.”
