Acting Mayor Kim Janey to announce how city is preparing for Chauvin verdict

BOSTON — The fate of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin now rests in the hands of the jury. Deliberations will continue this morning after both sides delivered their closing arguments yesterday.

Following the death of George Floyd nearly a year ago, rioters on Newbury Street smashed storefronts and stole merchandise. As of Tuesday morning, none of the businesses have boarded up yet as the city is waiting to hear from acting Mayor Kim Janey later Tuesday about what the city is preparing to do.

In Minneapolis, more than 3,000 National Guard soldiers, along with police officers, have flooded the city. Hundreds of businesses there have boarded up and the courthouse is surrounded by concrete barriers and razor wire.

Other cities are preparing as well. In Philadelphia, 1,000 National Guard members have been deployed and in Oakland businesses are boarding up. According to Boston 25 News security analyst Dan Linskey, Boston has rapid response teams ready to act, in case any violence breaks out.

“The city has to have a regional response to this. Any city in America is doing the same planning and preparing,” said Linskey, a security analyst and former Superintendent-in-Chief of the Boston Police Department.

“If he’s found not guilty I believe we will see protests and similar disturbances to last year,” said Linskey. “Even a verdict of guilt, if it’s not seen as going intense enough could cause issues and concerns and protests.”

Linksey also says police are likely working with local activists and community leaders, to make sure any demonstrations are done safely.

Boston police released this statement:

“The Boston police department asks that if public demonstrations occur as a result of the verdict, that they are done with respect to our neighbors and businesses, responsibly and peacefully.”

Cox Media Group