Bloomington Police prepared incase things “turn for the worst” during election night

Bloomington Police Interim Chief Greg Scott said no roads would be blocked during election night. (Photo courtesy: WJBC/File)

By Blake Haas

BLOOMINGTON – While cities across America are boarding up businesses amid election uncertainty, a plan is in place if things ‘turn for the worst,’ according to Bloomington’s Interim Police Chief.

Speaking with WJBC’s Scott Miller, Interim Chief Greg Scott said the department assigned staff to teams to respond in groups quickly should an issue arise.

“We’ve made some plans. We’ve got some things laid up if things turn for the worst. You know people have the legal right to celebrate or protest as they choose to do so, it’s when things turn illegal where we’re going to get concerned, and we have some plans in place that we can help address that if that becomes a possibility. I don’t anticipate it at this point, but it would be naive not to prepare for it.”

Scott said the department is not aware of any current threats but continues to monitor social media for threats.

“I think 2020 is its own animal at this point, with all of the social unrest that we’ve had and the different things that have gone on in the nation. It would just not be wise to not be prepared for something to happen. We hope that it doesn’t. We hope that everybody abides by the law and celebrates or protests whichever case inappropriate to them within the confines of the law.”

Scott said patrol officers would be equipped with helmets and gloves as a precautionary measure.

LISTEN: Speaking with WJBC’s Scott Miller, Bloomington Police Interim Chief Greg Scott said the department is read incase things “turn for the worst.”

“I think it’s an example of where we are in 2020 with civil unrest and the COVID virus and all the things that have happened to our nation this year and around the world; it’s yet another thing that we can chalk-up to 2020.”

Blake Haas can be reached at [email protected].

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…