Washington, D.C., has ramped up security across the city, bracing for potential unrest in the aftermath of the Election Day vote. Federal and local authorities are implementing extensive “enhancements” around key government sites, including the White House, the U.S. Capitol, and Vice President Kamala Harris’s residence.

The U.S. Secret Service has installed 8-foot fencing around the White House, the Treasury Department complex, parts of Lafayette Square, and the Naval Observatory, where the Vice President resides. According to a statement from the Secret Service, these measures are part of “wide-ranging public safety preparations for Tuesday’s election.” The agency is also enhancing security at the convention center in Palm Beach, Florida, where Donald Trump will host his election-night party.

The Secret Service said the security upgrades are not a response to any specific threat but are intended to maintain public safety in collaboration with federal, state, and local partners in both Washington, D.C., and Palm Beach County, Florida.

In addition to federal efforts, D.C. police announced road closures around Howard University, where Vice President Harris will hold her election-night event. To further prepare, the entire 3,300-strong D.C. police force will be deployed in 12-hour shifts, ensuring maximum coverage throughout the city.

Businesses across Washington, D.C., are also taking precautions. Many shops are boarding up their storefronts or installing additional fencing to guard against potential looting or vandalism. The memories of the Capitol Hill riots on January 6, 2021, and unrest following the 2020 election and George Floyd protests in May 2020 have prompted property owners to err on the side of caution.

Private security firms are also mobilizing additional personnel. One firm reportedly plans to deploy around 2,000 security guards to protect businesses located near the White House and the Capitol.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)