Waltham Police Prep For Election Day Fallout

WALTHAM, MA — As communities across the country are preparing for the last day of the election, and rallies are planned for Election Day in Boston, Waltham Police have a plan should some of that spill over into the Watch City.

"It is important to exercise your right to vote," said Mayor Jeannette McCarthy. "Whatever the outcome, I ask all people to respect each other with peaceful engagement. The Police Department is working to respect the rights of all people."

The mayor said the city's "Freedom Team" a group behind a hotline for people to share concerns about racial forms of bias and hate have been discussing the election and preparing. The bilingual hotline is checked regularly by the chief of police and Jamele Adams. Anyone who has witnessed or experienced bias-motivated acts can call the Waltham Freedom Team hotline at 781-314-FREE (3733).

McCarthy said other city groups are also engaged in public discussion and preparation, including the library, and the school department.

"Some of our teachers and administrators have discussed strategies to help students engage in meaningful discussions about the outcome," Superintendent Brian Regan said. " This has differed from level to level so it can be age appropriate."

The police department will have all hands on deck in the days following the election.

"We will be fully staffed and prepared for any exigencies, should they occur," Det. Sgt Stephen McCarthy said.

Nationwide, Massachusetts is the only state that requires a police presence at the polls. So this year, as in previous years, voters will see an officer posted at the polling locations.

Officers have the power to arrest anyone who disobeys the election official, or who brings weapons to the school property. Waltham Police have not had to make any such arrests in recent memory.

In addition to the presence at the polling places, the department has asked that no one take time off the week following the election, in an effort to have all hands on deck and ensure sufficient staffing levels to meet anything that may come up.

Secretary of the Commonwealth William Galvin asked communities to step up security after a ballot box was set ablaze in Boston over the weekend.

While there are no known threats right now, to Boston, Waltham or the rest of the commonwealth, police departments are preparing for demonstrations after the elections no matter who wins.
"What's kind of alarming to me is ... the preparation we've put into this election we've never had to put in before," Walsh said this week. "I don't think any mayor before me, or I certainly wasn't asked in 2016, what's your election safety plan?"

Waltham hasn't seen the looting or property destruction that Boston saw.

Jenna Fisher is a news reporter for Patch. Got a tip? She can be reached at Jenna.Fisher@patch.com or by calling 617-942-0474. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram (@ReporterJenna). Have a something you'd like posted on the Patch? Here's how .