Election Day News Coverage
Across the Nation, Retailers & Companies Brace
for Unrest

Boarded-Up Windows and Increased Security: Retailers Brace for the Election

Stores are making plans for how to deal with potential civil unrest
stemming from Tuesday’s election

Nordstrom, the high-end department store chain, said it planned to board up some of its 350 stores and hire extra security for Election Day on Tuesday. Tiffany & Company, the luxury jeweler, said that “windows of select stores in key cities will be boarded in anticipation of potential election-related activity.” Saks Fifth Avenue said it was “implementing additional security measures at certain locations in the event of civil unrest due to the current election.”

In Beverly Hills, the police said they would take a “proactive approach” and close Rodeo Drive, a renowned strip of luxury retailers, on Tuesday and Wednesday, citing the likelihood of increased “protest activity.” The police, working with private security companies, said they would also be on “full alert” throughout Beverly Hills starting on Halloween and continuing into election week.

The nation is on edge as the bitter presidential contest finally nears an end, the latest flashpoint in a bruising year that has included the pandemic and widespread protests over social justice. Anxiety has been mounting for months that the election’s outcome could lead to civil unrest, no matter who wins. In the retail industry, many companies are not simply concerned about possible mayhem — they are planning for it.

In a show of just how volatile the situation seems to the industry, 120 representatives from 60 retail brands attended a video conference this week hosted by the National Retail Federation, which involved training for store employees on how to de-escalate tensions among customers, including those related to the election. The trade group also hired security consultants who have prepped retailers about which locations around the country are likely to be the most volatile when the polls close.

Protecting properties from potential damage is not a simple decision. Retailers can risk alienating their customers by erecting plywood, particularly if the anticipated unrest does not materialize.

Some retailers have debated whether erecting boards would make them more of a target. Others are taking steps like purchasing different screws for the plywood from the ones they used in June, hoping to thwart looters with screw guns. The costs of boarding up businesses can range from a few hundred dollars to $31,000 for large department stores with display windows.

For the stores that stay open through election night and the uncertain days that could follow, their workers will again be thrust into a volatile situation. Already, retail employees are faced with the potential for violence in trying to ensure that customers wear masks to stop the spread of the coronavirus. Election week could pose more dangers. nytimes.com

NYC businesses board up shops ahead of 2020 presidential election
Stores in Soho, Midtown, and other parts of Manhattan have already fortified their glass windows with plywood ahead of Tuesday’s face-off between President Trump and Democratic challenger, former Vice President Joe Biden.

Shops including Chanel on Spring Street in Soho, Levi’s and Gucci in the neighborhood and others along Greene Street like Dior have taken those precautions.

Also boarded up were chain stores such as Staples, Ann Taylor, and a Bed Bath & Beyond in Chelsea, as well as the iconic Macy’s flagship in Herald Square.

High-end Manhattan retailers like Bloomingdale’s, Saks Fifth Avenue, Louis Vuitton, Bergdorf Goodman and Tourneau have also boarded up their storefronts. nypost.com


More Major News Outlets Covering Retailer Election Prep:

Fox Business: Businesses across nation board up windows ahead of potential Election Day unrest

CNBC: Stores and businesses prepare for potential election-related unrest

USA Today: Stores brace for post-election unrest and possibility of violence, damage to businesses after presidential results

Bloomberg: Retailers Are Battening Down Stores Across the U.S., Worried About Election Violence


'Guardian Angels' to Patrol NYC on Election Day
Mayor de Blasio: ‘No Specific Threat' to NYC, But ‘We're Prepared for Anything'
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said Monday that there had been no "specific threat" regarding potential violence or unrest over Tuesday's election. But, he said, "We're prepared for anything."

Many major department stores in midtown Manhattan have already boarded up their windows amid concerns over potential unrest. The Guardian Angels, an unarmed crime prevention volunteer group, announced over the weekend they would have thousands of volunteers in place for "possible rioting and unrest" that develop on Election Day. Volunteers from the Guardian Angels will be spread out, stationed in several neighborhoods across the city. nbcnewyork.com

Chicago Activates Business Operations Center
Mayor Lightfoot unveils pre-election security plan
On Friday, Lightfoot unveiled a 10-day “preparedness and safety plan” focused on Election Day but continuing all of next week. Once again, it relies on a heavy police presence bolstered by Illinois State Police and Cook County sheriffs officers and the use of as many as 300 heavy trucks to block neighborhood commercial corridors.

Activating the city’s emergency operations center and opening a first-ever “Business Operations Center” inside the city’s 911 emergency center. The new center will allow businesses and their private security officers onsite to “exchange real-time information,” provide “situational awareness” and enhance the city’s ability to “distribute accurate information.” suntimes.com

Here’s What National Guard Units Across the U.S. Will Be Doing on Election Day
Governors have continued to activate National Guard troops in the final days leading up to the presidential election, which has been transformed by the coronavirus pandemic. Soldiers and airmen are supporting polling stations, leading cybersecurity missions, and even preparing for civil disturbances in the wake of what could prove to be a contentious election in which results might not be known for weeks.

As of Friday, 10 states were actively planning for Guard members to handle election-related missions and 15 were indicating they plan to do so. Those missions include working polling stations and cybersecurity missions. military.com

Police Protecting the Polls
Ahead of Election, Police Prepare for Violence and Disruption
As Election Day nears, many senior law enforcement and other officials have attempted to inject calm while simultaneously warning of dire consequences for those who would disrupt voting.

Police in New York, Las Vegas, Detroit, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles and other cities across the country are grappling with deploying significantly more officers to counteract any disturbances without scaring voters away.

The largest departments have run practice drills on scenarios including violent clashes between Biden and Trump supporters, the sudden appearance of an armed paramilitary group, a cyberattack or a bomb. nytimes.com

Walmart returns firearms and ammunition to store floors
Walmart is returning firearms and ammunition to store shelves after the retail giant removed the products in some of its US stores as a "precaution" in response to protests in Philadelphia that followed the police shooting of Walter Wallace, Jr.

Concurrently, gun and ammunition sales have surged by an unprecedented amount during the pandemic. Gun retailers and industry analysts say the pick up in firearm and ammo purchases during an election year is normal, citing fears that a Democratic president could lead to restrictions on gun ownership. cnn.com

Home Depot Facing Boycott After CoFounder Says Vote for Trump
"Bernie retired from The Home Depot about 20 years ago and does not speak on behalf of the company," a Home Depot spokesperson told Business Insider. "The Home Depot does not give money to presidential campaigns or endorse presidential candidates."

In response to the latest backlash against Home Depot on Twitter, some people vocalized support for Marcus' position. Others criticized the boycott and noted that the backlash for Home Depot was undeserved, given that Marcus had retired in 2002. businessinsider.com

Downtown LA Neighborhood Council Debates Election Night Curfew to Prevent Looting

Beverly Hills, CA: 80 security officers, police and tactical securing Rodeo Drive on Election Day

Denver warns downtown businesses to prepare for Election Day unrest

Washington DC: Federal authorities expected to erect 'non-scalable' fence around White House

LIST: Stores Closed or With Adjusted Hours on Election Day 2020

In Case You Missed It

The D&D Daily's Election Violence Survey Results

LP Leaders Weigh in on Store Safety & Potential Election Day Unrest

Violence & Protests

D&D Daily Crime Analysis: Shootings & Deaths Remain High Ahead of Election
Over 3,000 Shootings & 700 Deaths Recorded Since July 4th Weekend

154 shootings, 35 killed in 20 Major U.S. Cities from Oct. 30-Nov. 1

55% Skipping Holiday Festivities
Nearly 75% of employer holiday parties will be virtual, survey shows
Of those planning a celebration, nearly three-quarters will hold virtual events, according to the Oct. 26 report.

Roughly 55% of companies said they will not have holiday festivities this year, the highest number recorded since the firm started its survey in 2004. Others remain undecided. Most (44%) who plan to skip the party said they canceled plans because of the coronavirus; 5.3% said they are cutting costs and 4% said they never hold holiday parties.

Many of those holding in-person events said they'd mandate masks and social distancing, limit the number of attendees, hold events outside and take temperatures. hrdive.com

CDC Releases Guidance for: Considerations for Events and Gatherings
The risk of COVID-19 spreading at events and gatherings increases as follows:

Lowest risk: Virtual-only activities, events, and gatherings.

More risk: Smaller outdoor and in-person gatherings in which individuals from different households remain spaced at least 6 feet apart, wear masks, do not share objects, and come from the same local area (e.g., community, town, city, or county).

Higher risk: Medium-sized in-person gatherings that are adapted to allow individuals to remain spaced at least 6 feet apart and with attendees coming from outside the local area.

Highest risk: Large in-person gatherings where it is difficult for individuals to remain spaced at least 6 feet apart and attendees travel from outside the local area.

After reviewing the considerations listed on this page, event planners and administrators can use CDC’s Events and Gatherings Readiness and Planning Tool to protect staff, volunteers, and attendees. cdc.gov

Companies Pop Up Specializing in Virtual Events
Even if COVID-19 Is a Party Pooper, Employers Find Ways to Celebrate
Because holding a workplace holiday party doesn't seem practical during a pandemic, managers are finding other ways to help their workers celebrate this year—including virtual gift exchanges, cooking classes and wine tastings.

Other possibilities include virtual happy hours; dinner parties complete with all the ingredients to make a meal; and home entertainment packages that include games, movies and cookie-decorating kits.

Virtual Parties

This holiday season, Preciate Social—a Dallas-based company that offers virtual socializing products—is giving away 100 subscriptions to virtual holiday parties. Winners receive unlimited virtual parties for three months, a package that includes music customization (think holiday tunes), holiday background themes and icebreakers. Up to 50 people can attend the virtual event, which replicates the atmosphere of real-life business mixers. shrm.org
 

COVID Violence