Police Nationwide Bracing for Possible Civil Unrest on Election Night

According to The Hill, police departments nationwide are beefing up their ranks and preparing for the possibility of urban and other unrest on Election Night, particularly the scenario of an Obama loss and resultant violence should the vote be disputed.

From The Hill.com:

Police departments in cities across the country are beefing up their ranks for Election Day, preparing for possible civil unrest and riots after the historic presidential contest.

Public safety officials said in interviews with The Hill that the election, which will end with either the nation’s first black president or its first female vice president, demanded a stronger police presence.

As stated previously, the primary reasons would be for an Obama loss, particularly one overshadowed by controversy as the Bush-Gore fiasco of 2000 was.

Some worry that if Barack Obama loses and there is suspicion of foul play in the election, violence could ensue in cities with large black populations. Others based the need for enhanced patrols on past riots in urban areas (following professional sports events) and also on Internet rumors.

Democratic strategists and advocates for black voters say they understand officers wanting to keep the peace, but caution that excessive police presence could intimidate voters.

Sen. Obama (Ill.), the Democratic nominee for president, has seen his lead over rival Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) grow in recent weeks, prompting speculation that there could be a violent backlash if he loses unexpectedly.

The greatest preparation and deployment is taking place in cities with high African-American populations.

Cities that have suffered unrest before, such as Detroit, Chicago, Oakland and Philadelphia, will have extra police deployed.

In Oakland, the police will deploy extra units trained in riot control, as well as extra traffic police, and even put SWAT teams on standby.

One can only hope this is not the case on Election Night, regardless of the outcome. America is one of the very few nations on earth that has consistently avoided the political violence that has consumed many others.