Early voting in NYC has led people to show up in droves at newly designated polling places, which has been somewhat reassuring to many people. However, it might not be reassuring to those in the retail or restaurant industry.
A number of shop keepers and restaurant owners are concerned that regardless of who wins, property destruction could occur as it did a number of months ago.
On Halloween, while some people and dogs were walking around wearing Halloween costumes …
… others, especially retailers, weren’t just concerned about potential post-election chaos – they were planning for it.
Plywood can now be seen in retail windows throughout the Upper West Side.
Claire’s boarded up because they have no gates over their glass. They will remain open but will keep plywood up out of an abundance of caution.
Claire’s at 2267 Broadway, between 81st and 82nd Streets.
La Toya, the store manager at Lenscrafters, says they plan to stay open, but urges people to call ahead of time in the event something changes. Her advice (calling ahead) to see if a given place is doing business as usual might be a good thing to do as some places — boarded up or not — may plan to be closed on Election Day.
Lenscrafters Optique at 2050 Broadway, between 70th and 71st Streets.
66th and Broadway – Raymour & Flanigan + Pottery Barn – photo by @bubbilee
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On Monday, workers were busy putting up metal gates and plywood at Intermix and J Jill, which are both on Columbus Avenue.
A few blocks north and west at the corner of 72nd Street and Broadway, workers are once again putting up plywood over Bloomingdale’s Outlet Store.
We say “once again” because it is six months ago to the day when we spotted this store covered in plywood.
Taken on June 2, 2020
The main difference with the barriers being placed in store windows now versus during the protests is that this time around, shopkeepers are planning to remain open.
Speaks volumes to the sad state of affairs in this city and country in general.
Protests are one thing. Violence and destruction are quite another. I hope any such infractions are dealt with swiftly and severely.
You ARE crankypants!
Susie, I assume you don’t own a streetfront business or perhaps you would agree with me. I hope you err on the side of caution and stay home/indoors & don’t risk getting sucker punched by some disgruntled partisan. #vote #godblessamerica #nycstrong
But this is not protests – this day is about voting, one of American citizens’ most valued rights.
I’ve read and heard many of these kinds of news reports about the possibility of “rioting & looting”. In fact, a few days ago I spoke with my elderly mother (in suburban NJ) and when I asked if she had gotten her absentee ballot in, she said she was “so afraid of rioting and looting”!! What a sad commentary.
Something I’ve been repeatedly asking – certainly this year, but even in years past (e.g. when looting occurs during disasters such as hurricanes/floods) – is why don’t the police/law enforcement, e.g. NYPD here, provide protection against looting? So far, no one has been willing to answer that. In all the recent reports I’ve heard, for example, the Mayor say “violence won’t be tolerated,” I’ve read that police are preparing for the possibility of “violence” or “unrest.”
What troubles me is what I have NOT heard: I’d be more comforted to hear the Police Commissioner say NYPD is prepared to prevent looting and to stop voter intimidation at poll sites; I’d like to hear the Mayor assure us that the NYPD is committed to prevent harassment of voters and to stop violence against election defenders – who have had to organize and train activists in voter protection and de-escalation tactics, a minister friend participated in clergy training for this purpose, specifically because they are not confident in the police.
That’s what citizens should expect – that law enforcement will protect businesses, voters, and ordinary citizens who are shielding voters and poll sites from intimidation.
I can understand that there are places where this would make sense. But in NYC? And particularly on the UWS? Really?! There is a difference between “an abundance of caution” and unwarranted paranoia. Unless a group comes from outside the UWS simply to cause havoc (as did happen in many places during the Georg Floyd protests), the idea of this kind of violence on the UWS is simply bizarre. And unlike the George Floyd protests – which were (sans the violence) protected under freedom of assembly,, so that local law enforcement was often not even permitted to address the sidebar violence, there is no such situation here. So the NYPD should be pro-active in protecting property against any violence.
Better “safe than sorry”…
New York City has 36,000 police officers. Why are we hearing nothing about the NYPD plans to have a show of force on the street to prevent what these shopkeepers are fearing?
Because this communist haven turned their backs on the police and logic…which is why thousands of us left
Bye, ciao, adios, Adam and the “thousands” who, allegedly, have left! Good – fewer crowds – easier social distancing – and more available apartments!
AHAHAHA – “communist haven”!!! 😀 :O That’s hysterically funny. I’ve been called many things before, but I think this may be the first time I’ve been labeled a “communist”!! Alas, I don’t think communists can afford NYC rents.
As an American citizen living in NY, I certainly have NOT turned my back on the police – I continue to expect more from them than I have seen evidence of in my 4+ decades here….so far they have not stepped up to the plate.
Adam: Wait, what are you saying here? I just re-read your comment and it sounds like you are saying that the NYPD is refusing to enforce laws against looting. Is that what you meant? That is quite a strong indictment of the police. Or, are you saying they are incompetent, thus incapable of preventing looting?
The police are hamstrung by the mayor who is afraid of tough police procedures.
You’re so right. My human and civil rights have been severely violated by the boys of NYPD!
Don’t slam the door on your way out..Thank you
With all due respect..Don’t slam the door on your way out..Thank you
Exactly! I keep asking this, but have not heard any helpful response.
I just wrote a comment – seems not to have posted – to this effect. That I’ve heard about NYPD preparations for “violence” but not specifically about protecting businesses from looting, and, as importantly, protecting voters from intimidation (e.g. the recent caravans in NY/NJ stopped traffic, what’s to stop similar efforts at poll sites?) and so forth.
Admittedly, many of the police will be at poll sites (I’m a poll worker) but surely this is a time when they could call in all-hands-on-deck to help protect stores/ buildings, if “looting” is a concern.
With all due respect to local businesses, I’m mostly worried about voters and poll sites not being harassed so that the election can be conducted safely.
To the degree that it helps (and it does), there are always two or three officers assigned to each polling location to prevent voter intimidation, bad behavior and violence. And it has worked quite well so far. But as I posted before, I agree with those who wonder whether there are SPECIFIC plans for preventing external violence and property damage. I continue to believe the chances of that are slim to none in most areas, unless it is “outsiders” simply coming in to create mayhem.
Ian:
Well….Chaos (AKA mayhem) is a strategy! ;{
And there was the weekend “caravan” of Trump vehicles, one of which was parked last week on the corner across from my UWS building.
I do concur with your concern about lack of a prevention plan. Considering the stores boarding up, sounds like the businesses are not confident of being protected.
And just to clarify – the election defense efforts that I’m aware of are focused on voters – e.g. on lines at poll sites – and ensuring they aren’t prevented from voting no matter if there is distracting ‘mayhem’ outside AND on de-escalating any problematic situations instead of calling in police (which often escalates the situation).
Sadly true, in all regards.