Hire more officers due to nearby protesters?

My bet is there are no "Off-duty" cops available at this time. Plus your maybe putting a police officer's life in danger as some may be putting their anger towards the police right now.

Your main concern should be property protection. I'd suggest boarding up windows and other measure. Like removing any loose items like rocks or decorative items. Anything that can be picked up and thrown. Especially near that kiosk area. The security person may also have some ideas to consider.

Our city just had some protestors and are now removing rocks/bricks/trash cans from the downtown area. A few stores have boarded up windows. The good news is our courthouse is an eyesore that pretty much people ignore. Not a lot of attraction to want to damage anything. They did put out tear gas to run off most that did not leave at allotted time.

What was scary is they are going to malls and shopping areas. Found out 2 miles from my house protestors rioted at the local outside mall area. Throwing trash cans at police officers. Nearly half the town's police were there running them off. They have local security officers there that are now on high alert. Many of them are unarmed and just people willing to do the job. All they are trained to do is to call the police.

So consider the mobs behavior. It's more like causing chaos and property damage. Address issues that would help prevent those things. Buy some extra fire extinguishers. 1st aid kits are good. Buy duct tape and other items that if things get damaged can quickly protect. Get some graphiti remover ASAP or paint. Graphiti can attract more. So best to get rid of it fast. Maybe spay it with some furniture wax or something make it less likely to take on paint.

Protect the property and make sure to set up maybe a way to text everyone. Let them know NOT to leave the building. Organize a group whom is willing to go out and fix any damages. Don't confront these people. They are dangerous. Best to let them do what they going to do and limit damage after.

Hi,

I don't think it's necessary to hire more security at this time. But if this would make the community feel safer, do you have the budget for it? If so, make sure the additional help is there to protect the property and offer support to staff, not create more conflict.

As a few people have noted, most protesters are peaceful. You could look at ways to keep the property protected, like making sure the area is free of rocks, sticks, etc. Good lighting may also discourage protesters from vandalizing the building.

Great start with ideas. Thank you! Keep 'em coming.

Our buildings go to the sidewalks. There are no rocks or anything that can be thrown. Well-lit. We have plenty of fire exingusishers & first aid kits, including eye wash. We have plywood in case we want to board up the windows of the commercial property that takes up the ground floor of about 1-12 blocks. Just trying to give more details.

Our GM met with the officers Monday to also get their ideas and for the very reason Melissa stated, the graffiti was removed Monday. We're very experienced with it as it happens probably couple of times a year in "normal" times.

You may or may not have full video capability, in either case buy a few larger than necessary fake camera boxes and signage ... make it very visible.

Some sign says things like: Vandalism will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.

I tend to think uniformed armed cops with weapons would, as Melissa suggests, “set off” certain protesters and we sure wouldn’t hire, even if available, more than two. And that wouldn’t be enough if needed. Yeah, it seems they’d attract vs. deter trouble.

We could put an extra officer of our vendor on duty. They do have “floaters” available. I think it WOULD help residents feel more comfortable even if in reality one extra guy in a suit can’t do much. Maybe Saturday, when rumor has it, there’ll be a large demonstration all day.

We’ve learned through various reports that the bad actors show up after dark, so maybe a 8p-3a shift addition. While officers typically tour the exterior of the buildings on the sidewalks, they know to call the police if there are any incidents in public. Our urban setting means we’re not naive about trespassers and aggressive persons. But usually one at a time!

Yes, we know, as Marshall, MarkW & Sheila note that there’s big difference between the bad guys and the huge number of peaceful demonstrators. Off topic, but I agree with Sheila that once the three accessories to George Floyd’s murder are charged with a crime, it might help. Might have happened today.

We have numerous cameras around the perimeter of our premises. We have no signs that they’re there. I’ve read many times to not use fake cameras as it gives residents a false sense of security. I dunno, am thinking signage might invite the cameras to be destroyed? Demonstrators are wearing face coverings and even with our good lighting, it’s dark at night. I don’t think the bad ones are deterred by cameras.

One of our directors was a cop, then detective then head of the police at LAX—till he was shot in the head and became a stock broker. True story. His background has been and will be helpful at Friday's meeting.

Interesting thought, Melissa. I wonder if it's legal for ordinary folks to have smoke bombs? And if they can be used in public?

“Danger, Proximity Detector, Nuclear Claymore?”

My HOA is in an urban area (with damage nearby) and it has (1) locked the building when curfew starts and (2) hired more staff.

Several thousand marchers convened about 6 blocks from us and marched all afternoon and & evening. All was peaceful with respect shown from the demonstators and from law enforcement.

Unlike last Sunday night here & elsewhere, there were no splinter groups or provocateurs with ill intent so far as I know.

Good to hear, Kerry.