Atlanta businesses brace for possible unrest following election results

ATLANTA — There is concern in Atlanta and across the country that there may be unrest in cities following the result of tonight’s election.

There is so much concern that some businesses in Atlanta have begun boarding up their windows in response.

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There were several stores installing plywood in front of their windows Tuesday morning to protect them from any type of violence, if it happens.

Atlanta police said right now there are no verified threats of violent activity.

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A contractor working says he’s boarding the windows businesses for two blocks along Peachtree Street in Midtown Atlanta.

“Really, we’re just preparing for the worst,” said worker Casey Brewer.

A wooden fortress guards windows at the giant Nike store at Lenox Square. Right down the street, more plywood on the windows at the offices of Charles Schwab.

Buckhead resident Bill Letts said it’s a distressing sight.

“Regardless of who’s elected we have got to stop all of this business and realize we are on the same boat. We’re all Americans,” Letts said.

Dress designer Janice Wilborne says vandals smashed store windows at her downtown Atlanta shop during the George Floyd police protests in May. She decided to leave the plywood up but she’s optimistic vandals won’t strike again.

“I don’t think anything bad is going to happen,” Wilborne said.

Channel 2 Action News reached out to the Department of Public Safety and officials say they are ready for anything.

“Election time is always a heavy concern for the Department of Public Safety (DPS) and it is even more concerning during these most recent times of civil unrest around the state. A primary goal of DPS is the safety of those exercising their constitutional rights, whether it be during the election process or engaging in first amendment right activities. DPS has prevention and response measures in place for concerns of extremist violence. DPS will not share those prevention and response measures in advance of the upcoming election as it would compromise strategic planning and the safety of the Troopers and Officers involved,” a spokesperson said.

The Georgia National Guard says it is prepared to assist if needed.

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“The Georgia National Guard has been augmenting the Georgia Department of Public Safety at the direction of Governor Kemp since the 29th of May. We will continue to provide support to state and local law enforcement under the provisions of the Governor’s emergency declaration. We do not have any mission assignments specific to the upcoming election. We are honored to support Georgia’s law enforcement community as they do the hard work of keeping Georgians safe.”

The Atlanta Police Department released a statement to Channel 2 Action News saying that they are coordinating with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies

“Election security is led by state and county officials. However, the City of Atlanta Police Department is coordinating with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies to provide assistance at polling places and to provide support across the city should post-election protests or illegal activity occur. APD is monitoring real-time election day activity through our Joint Operations Center, and will continue to monitor post-election day activity as warranted. At present, there are no verified threats to indicate that violent activity is being planned. If activity begins to occur, APD is prepared to respond quickly to prospective protests or illegal and violent activity, in coordination with partnering local, state and federal law enforcement officials.”

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