Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Fresno Police Will Have Undercover Officers Near Polling Locations on Election Day
TLBBHMAP3-U010ALB5ANM-348f959abae2-512-300x300-1
By Jim Jakobs, Digital Producer
Published 5 years ago on
November 2, 2020

Share

Fresno police will be in plain sight — but not easily identifiable — on Election Day as voters visit voting centers, a department spokesman said Monday.

Police will be monitoring voting centers in plainclothes, said Sgt. Jeff LaBlue, to avoid concerns that uniformed officers could be viewed as intimidating to voters wishing to cast ballots.

The Fresno County Sheriff’s Office said its personnel won’t be assigned to polling locations directly, but will be on standby to respond to any potential election disruptions.

Beverly Hills Closes Rodeo Drive Ahead of Election

In Beverly Hills, the city said it will close its high-end Rodeo Drive shopping area to vehicles and pedestrians from Monday through Wednesday night due to “the potential of increased demonstration and protest activity across the region.”

“Beginning on Halloween and through Election week, the Beverly Hills Police Department (BHPD) will be on full alert throughout the residential and business districts,” the city said in an online news release.

As of Monday, no similar steps have been announced in the Fresno area.

Fresno Police Department

“The goal is for there not to be a command presence at the polling station. Somebody shouldn’t feel intimidated by law enforcement being there. So it’s it’s important for us to have a neutral standpoint.”Fresno police Sgt. Jeff LaBlue

“We’ll only be on a response as needed basis,” LaBlue says.

The department will have officers in plainclothes near vote centers, he said. They’re not expecting disruptions, LaBlue said, but want voters and residents to know they’ll be available if situations arise.

“The goal is for there not to be a command presence at the polling station,” he said. “Somebody shouldn’t feel intimidated by law enforcement being there. So it’s it’s important for us to have a neutral standpoint.”

He said about 60 officers will be on standby and ready to respond to any incidents that require a police presence.

“We’re looking forward to a healthy election year on Tuesday,” LaBlue added.

Fresno County Sheriff’s Office

“While we won’t be stationed near any polling stations, we will be prepared to respond in case an issue arises.”Fresno County Sheriff PIO Tony Botti

The Fresno County Sheriff’s Office says deputies will be on standby should law enforcement response be required either locally or in another part of the state — if outside agencies requests help.

“Our approach will be to conduct normal patrols on Nov. 3,” said spokesman Tony Botti. “While we won’t be stationed near any polling stations, we will be prepared to respond in case an issue arises.”

Botti says the Sheriff’s Office is in regular communication with the elections office and County Clerk Brandi Orth. So far, he said, there are no known concerns surrounding Election Day.

California Attorney General

California Attorney General Xavier Becerra issued a bulletin last week to all California law enforcement on voter interference and intimidation laws.  The guidance comes on the heels of questions that have arisen about what is and isn’t allowed at polling places and voting locations.

“Today’s bulletin alerts law enforcement about the laws that prohibit voter interference and intimidation that they may be called on to address between now and Election Day,” Becerra said in a press release.

The bulletin outlines that under California law, it is illegal to interfere with an election or tamper with voting machines and devices used to tally votes. It is also illegal to use threats of force, violence, coercion, or intimidation to pressure voters into changing their vote or not voting at all. Voter intimidation tactics can also be less obvious than a physical threat, the message said, including:

  • Threatening to engage in criminal action against voters.
  • Presenting false information about the voting process or voter eligibility requirements, including English proficiency, ID requirements or other disqualifiers.

DOJ Monitoring Compliance: Not in Fresno County

The U.S. Justice Department will be monitoring the election as it has in the past, according to a news release.

“Our federal laws protect the right of all American citizens to vote without suffering discrimination, intimidation, and harassment,” said Eric S. Dreiband, Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division.

The statement said monitors will focus on compliance with the Voting Rights Act and the other federal voting rights laws. Monitors will include personnel from the Civil Rights Division and staff from U.S. Attorney’s Offices.

The DOJ will monitor compliance in 44 jurisdictions in 18 states, the agency said.

The list includes two California jurisdictions — Los Angeles and Orange counties.

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese Wins a Second 3-Year Term

DON'T MISS

Justice Department Will Switch Its Focus on Voting and Prioritize Trump’s Elections Order

DON'T MISS

Newsom Jabs at Trump and Musk, but Will AI Make California More Efficient?

DON'T MISS

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Trial to Delve Into the Seediest Side of Rap’s ‘Bad Boy’

DON'T MISS

Robbie Ray’s Gem Leads the Giants Over the Rockies

DON'T MISS

Voters to Decide if Home of Elon Musk’s SpaceX Should Become an Official City: Starbase

DON'T MISS

World’s Tallest and Smallest Dogs Meet Up for a Playdate

DON'T MISS

Yamamoto Allows Only 1 Hit in 6 Scoreless Innings and Betts Homers as Dodgers Hold Off Braves 2-1

DON'T MISS

Tennessee Police Release Video of Kilmar Abrego Garcia Traffic Stop in 2022

DON'T MISS

University of Texas Chancellor Is Named President of the University of California

UP NEXT

Justice Department Will Switch Its Focus on Voting and Prioritize Trump’s Elections Order

UP NEXT

Newsom Jabs at Trump and Musk, but Will AI Make California More Efficient?

UP NEXT

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Trial to Delve Into the Seediest Side of Rap’s ‘Bad Boy’

UP NEXT

Robbie Ray’s Gem Leads the Giants Over the Rockies

UP NEXT

Voters to Decide if Home of Elon Musk’s SpaceX Should Become an Official City: Starbase

UP NEXT

World’s Tallest and Smallest Dogs Meet Up for a Playdate

UP NEXT

Tennessee Police Release Video of Kilmar Abrego Garcia Traffic Stop in 2022

UP NEXT

University of Texas Chancellor Is Named President of the University of California

UP NEXT

Here’s Why May the 4th Is Celebrated as Star Wars Day Across the Galaxy

UP NEXT

Fresno County Authorities Search for Missing Woman Last Seen at Huntington Lake

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Trial to Delve Into the Seediest Side of Rap’s ‘Bad Boy’

2 hours ago

Robbie Ray’s Gem Leads the Giants Over the Rockies

2 hours ago

Voters to Decide if Home of Elon Musk’s SpaceX Should Become an Official City: Starbase

2 hours ago

World’s Tallest and Smallest Dogs Meet Up for a Playdate

2 hours ago

Yamamoto Allows Only 1 Hit in 6 Scoreless Innings and Betts Homers as Dodgers Hold Off Braves 2-1

2 hours ago

Tennessee Police Release Video of Kilmar Abrego Garcia Traffic Stop in 2022

2 hours ago

University of Texas Chancellor Is Named President of the University of California

2 hours ago

Here’s Why May the 4th Is Celebrated as Star Wars Day Across the Galaxy

2 hours ago

Need a Break Without Using PTO? These Remote Rentals Are Perfect for Your Next Workcation

3 hours ago

Lady Gaga to Draw 1.6 Million Fans to Copacabana, Boosting Brazilian Airlines and Rio’s Economy

18 hours ago

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese Wins a Second 3-Year Term

MELBOURNE — Anthony Albanese claimed victory as the first Australian prime minister to clinch a second consecutive term in 21 years on Satur...

34 minutes ago

34 minutes ago

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese Wins a Second 3-Year Term

36 minutes ago

Justice Department Will Switch Its Focus on Voting and Prioritize Trump’s Elections Order

2 hours ago

Newsom Jabs at Trump and Musk, but Will AI Make California More Efficient?

2 hours ago

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Trial to Delve Into the Seediest Side of Rap’s ‘Bad Boy’

2 hours ago

Robbie Ray’s Gem Leads the Giants Over the Rockies

2 hours ago

Voters to Decide if Home of Elon Musk’s SpaceX Should Become an Official City: Starbase

2 hours ago

World’s Tallest and Smallest Dogs Meet Up for a Playdate

2 hours ago

Yamamoto Allows Only 1 Hit in 6 Scoreless Innings and Betts Homers as Dodgers Hold Off Braves 2-1

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend