From squad cars checking in on polling places to officers on call for the possibility of unruly election-related protests, law enforcement agencies across Southern California have preparations in place for any havoc on Election Day and beyond. Some police agencies have been working on their plans for the better part of a year. Agencies in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties say they have received no word of planned protests. But, officials added, they will be out when needed to allow people to peacefully vote while also protecting the public should any protest become potentially troublesome. “We know that there’s a high level of concern and anxiety regarding the presidential election specifically, so we as a department have been preparing for close to a year,” Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said. “The mission has been very clear — to ensure a secure, safe and fair election. … “The 45 independent chiefs in our county are all aware, no matter how big or small their departments are,” Luna continued. “If things go really bad, we’re all going to rely on each other.” Across the four counties, collaboration and intelligence sharing have been key, officials said, adding that resources will be available to help other jurisdictions should they need assistance — even potentially crossing county lines. Federal agencies have told Luna’s department to be prepared, the sheriff said, because of “international actors in countries that don’t like us that are putting out false information that heightens the sensitivity. “Our politics today are very polarized,” Luna said, “so that concerns us.” Law-enforcement agencies monitor social-media platforms, and officers on their beats talk with people about any word of possible gatherings, officials said. Sgt. Frank Gonzalez of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department said the May pro-Palestine protest at UC Irvine was an example of how the Sheriff’s Department can team up with others in the county to elevate police staffing. The Orange County District Attorney’s Office ended up filing misdemeanor charges against nearly 50 participants of that protest. “In the case of demonstrations or large-scale events, we can assemble a mobile field force team,” Gonzalez said. His department is not bringing in additional personnel in the days following the election, but the department will be fully staffed and able to pull officers from other areas to form mobile teams should they be needed. In Huntington Beach, where political gatherings near the pier are common, the Police Department will have extra patrols around polling and ballot collection-sites to ensure the safety of voters, police spokeswoman Jessica Cuchilla said. “In anticipation of potential activity, our specialized units, including those trained in mobile field force deployment, are on standby, ready to support our patrol teams in maintaining public safety and upholding the right to peaceful assembly,” Cuchilla said. The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department said it would have “extra patrols leading up to and after the elections” but declined to offer details. The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department also declined to offer details but said “ensuring the safety of our community is our top priority, and we believe that maintaining a level of discretion is essential in this regard.” Related Articles Crime and Public Safety | Homeless man in San Bernardino dies after dog attack, possible stabbing Crime and Public Safety | Red flag warnings issued as high winds to increase fire hazards around Southern California Crime and Public Safety | Man fatally shot in Moreno Valley neighborhood Crime and Public Safety | Temecula brothers get more than 2 years in prison for insurance scheme defrauding Postal Service of $2.1 million Crime and Public Safety | Corona man gets 3-year sentence for taking 12-year-old girl from a school and committing a lewd act Protests have occurred in the past in Riverside. Officer Ryan Railsback, a spokesman for the city’s police, said officers are trained on how to respond and handle such events. “You may not even see a big presence from us,” he said. “We changed the way we handle that because we know the presence of police may escalate one side. “It doesn’t mean we’re not out there watching it,” the officer and spokesman said. “(The protesters) are out there doing what they’re allowed to do … and if it gets (unruly) we’ll handle it.” In the wake of the last presidential election, of course, Trump supporters upset over Joe Biden’s win rioted at the U.S. Capitol. So far, more than 1,400 people, many from Southern California, have been charged with a federal crime tied to the riot and more than 900 convicted. That same day, in downtown Los Angeles, several hundred gathered, largely supporters of then-President Trump, with six arrested. Meanwhile, back in L.A. County, Luna said the department will be at an “enhanced state of readiness,” with resources and equipment poised in the event a protest gets out of hand. Recent events — like last week’s celebration for the Los Angeles Dodgers’ World Series win in East Los Angeles that turned ugly — provided practice for what deputies could potentially face, he said. In that event, a Metro bus was set ablaze and destroyed, while elsewhere people looted stores. Luna said those who want to hold a protest where his department patrols can always call the Sheriff’s Department ahead of time to coordinate. “If we work together, we’ll facilitate the demonstration, as long as it’s peaceful,” the sheriff said. “If (you want) to get your message out, we can help you, but if you’re going out with the focus of destroying property, hurting people or looting, we have zero tolerance for that.” Related Articles Crime and Public Safety | Homeless man in San Bernardino dies after dog attack, possible stabbing Crime and Public Safety | Red flag warnings issued as high winds to increase fire hazards around Southern California Crime and Public Safety | Man fatally shot in Moreno Valley neighborhood Crime and Public Safety | Temecula brothers get more than 2 years in prison for insurance scheme defrauding Postal Service of $2.1 million Crime and Public Safety | Corona man gets 3-year sentence for taking 12-year-old girl from a school and committing a lewd act