DC Prepares for Election Day: Cafes, Stores, and Buildings Boarded Up

Washington: A few blocks from White House on 17th Street, a McDonald's is boarded up, with a sign reassuring visitors it’s open. Many or DC stores did same on Election Day. 

In Washington DC, numerous cafes and restaurants are boarded up with signs saying y're open, as city braces for potential post-election unrest. Caroline Pollak, visiting from Virginia, finds it all quite unusual.

“I went to a coffee shop down road, y have boarded all windows just as a precautionary measure. But it is all sad, why should anybody have to do that,” she added.  

Along Pennsylvania Avenue and nearby streets near White House, sound of power tools fills air as workers install protective plywood barriers, creating an unusual atmosphere in nation’s capital. Parena Bread, a well-kwn cafe on Pennsylvania Avenue, also has its windows completely boarded up. Staff members say se precautions have been taken for safety. It's t just cafes and stores; government buildings are also being fortified. At U.S. Post Office on Pennsylvania Avenue, workers are placing large plywood sheets to secure building.

Some of plywood sheets already have graffiti on m. Paul Mier works in neighbourhood and finds whole thing very unusual and thinks it has to do with what happened in last presidential election when city saw ruckus.

“Who kws what will happen, re are obviously issues with what happened in last elections. It is sad to see businesses having to react to situations like this. But I guess body wants to take risk,” says Paul Mier.

White House and or federal buildings have implemented heightened security measures. Metal barriers and security fencing w surround White House complex. Additional fencing has been installed around Vice President's residence at Naval Observatory. Secret Service is coordinating with federal, state, and local partners to ensure enhanced security. Phoebe Emm is a student in Washington DC and she says that nation is still traumatised by what happened last time in elections and precautions were for that. “This past week we have t been able to walk up to fence, y are setting up inauguration st for that and re are security barricades. We have to keep a safe distance. I am really anxious about elections, it is too close for comfort to be excited” Hank Thomas is a DC resident who runs a venture capital firm and keeps coming to White House on and off. He feels fencing is a security precaution. “Groups come to DC and protest but n become violent and cause dam. I hate seeing dam to things that people pay taxes for.

On January 6, 2021, Capitol Hill witnessed unrest when supporters of n-President Donald Trump attempted to disrupt certification of Joe Biden 's electoral victory.

This time while re is specific official anuncement of threats, city's preparation reflects a cautious approach following previous incidents of civil unrest.

(with ncy inputs)