OAKLAND, Calif. (KRON) – In anticipation of possible violence related to election results, Oakland police say they are stepping up patrols for election night. But some business owners are already preparing. In Downtown Oakland and even the Oakland City Center on Monday, healthcare buildings, clinics, and bodegas were boarded up At the same time, citizens set out to make their votes official. Proudly displaying an “I voted” sticker on his shirt, Oakland resident Eddy Kochiyama dropped off his ballot Monday evening. Oakland mayor Sheng Thao recall to be decided by voters “We just drove by the courthouse near the lake, and it seemed the safest way to drop off our ballots,” he said.  While walking around Downtown Oakland, he took pictures of boarded-up storefronts – business owners taking precautions against potential looting on election night. “Hopefully it’s not necessary, but it kind of worried me. I was surprised to see this,” he said.  He reflected on another controversial time – the 2020s Black Lives Matter protest. He said his community was furious and wanted justice. “Well, after the George Floyd stuff it got kinda bad but, you know, people were outraged,” he said.  With big issues at stake like abortion, immigration, and jobs, Kochiyama believes the outcome of the 2024 election could cause potential riots. “I think they will be protesting, and hopefully we’re not going to see violence,” he said.  A statement from Oakland police assured they will be providing extra officers on election night to make sure that gatherings remain peaceful.