Election in the US: White House fence ‘not scalable’, stores in New York and Los Angeles boarded up

America’s most famous shopping strips are unrecognizable as retailers climb aboard their stores or completely block traffic, bracing for election-related riots in the days ahead.

Weeks after opening its gleaming Christmas windows, Saks Fifth Avenue in Manhattan is a wall of plywood, joining the Disney Store in Times Square and chains like Macy’s and Tiffany.

The companies hope to prevent a repeat of looting and vandalism during the summer months after George Floyd is killed by the police.

“While we intend to remain open whenever possible, as a precaution, select store windows in key cities will be closed in anticipation of possible election-related activity,” Tiffany spokesman Nathan Strauss told CNN.

The New York Times reports that the “sea” of bricked-up buildings in New York City stretches from luxury stores to the business districts of the Bronx and Brooklyn, reflecting “broader national anxiety” as the United States decide for Donald Trump or Joe Biden as president. for the next four years.

According to Forbes, shipping a storefront can cost between $ 125 and $ 31,000.

Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, California, will be closed to drivers and pedestrians on Tuesdays and Wednesdays local time.

“The Beverly Hills Police Department will be on high alert in all residential and business districts,” BHPD Chief Dominick Rivetti said in a video posted on Twitter.

A total of 135 BHPD officers are working 12-hour rotating shifts over seven days.

Thousands of National Guard soldiers have been stationed across the country in preparation for the elections.

Last week, Walmart announced that it would remove all weapons and ammunition from its sales floors in thousands of stores in response to concerns about civil unrest, but later reversed its decision because the incidents had remained “geographically isolated.”

A federal law enforcement source told NBC that a “non-scalable” fence would be erected around the entire perimeter of the White House complex and that 250 members of the National Guard are on standby.

The fence, which was erected Monday night, is similar to the barrier erected amid widespread protests after George Floyd was assassinated in May.

Meanwhile, a local news photographer in Chicago filmed armored vehicles entering the city.

Washington Post reporter Alex Horton said Monday that he had asked for more information, but “the Illinois Guard will not provide details on this move, although the lack of clarity is confusing and puzzling to residents.”

“For security reasons, the ILNG should not discuss specific details of future movements or plans. People can see the trucks and ILNG troops moving. This is to be ready to respond if necessary, but we have not been assigned no mission. Hopefully not necessary. But you better be ready and ready, “the Illinois National Guard responded on Twitter.