FBI warns of Russian threats to polling places; Police ready

Vladimir Putin may be back to his old election interference tricks, but America appears more prepared than ever to put an end to any Russian threats as millions of voters turn out to vote today.

After the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, the FBI and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency issued warnings Monday evening about disruption efforts from Russia and Iran, federal agencies and major city police forces are keeping their eyes peeled and officers on the streets.

“We are prepared to respond to any election-related incident,” an LAPD spokesperson told Deadline this afternoon, as long lines formed at polling stations across the country in the close race between Donald Trump and California-born Vice President Kamala Harris city ​​and throughout the district.

City of Angels police are opening their operations center this morning and will be out in large numbers on the streets and in patrol cars around polling places and other potentially sensitive areas, sources said. Once the sun sets, the LAPD plans to deploy additional forces, along with the sheriff's department and other law enforcement agencies, to prevent unrest. The LA County Sheriff's Department is responsible for transporting ballot boxes to counting centers

The LAPD will have “the utmost commitment on Election Day to ensure the safety of Angelenos and hold people accountable for riots or destruction of property,” Mayor Karen Bass’ office said in a statement Tuesday. In that context, and as a reminder of the upheaval of 2020, businesses, hotels and others in some parts of the city tore down metal shutters and boarded up windows today – like at the Roosevelt Hotel on Hollywood Blvd.

Early Tuesday, the Etris Community Center and Gullatt Elementary in Union City, just outside Atlanta, were briefly closed due to bomb threats against several polling places in Georgia. The closure was short-lived, but officials insist the Fulton County Department of Registration & Elections would extend voting hours to compensate for the closure in the predominantly African-American neighborhood.

“Since polls opened this morning, Fulton County Police have responded to multiple calls regarding threats at Fulton County polling locations,” Atlanta Police released an FCPD statement to Deadline. “We have investigated all of these cases and found no active threats. We will continue to remain vigilant.”

“Disrupting the voting process is a crime and charges will be filed against anyone found to be making disruptive threats,” the FCPD added.

Later on Election Day, Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger said, “As far as this Russia hoax and this bomb scare, I just want to make sure everyone understands that Georgia will not be intimidated.” Russia chose the wrong Georgia. You have to choose the other one in the Black Sea.”

Raffensperger was known for being the guy President Trump called in late 2020, hoping he could find “11,780 votes, which is one more than we have” to give the Peach State to the incumbent over eventual winner Joe to hand over to Biden. Raffensperger did not provide details about Russian involvement in closing polls in Georgia.

After being made “aware of two incidents in which his name and insignia were misused to spread false narratives surrounding the election,” the FBI took to social media on Tuesday to address any voter concerns or arguments , which the Kremlin would have suspected of downplaying plank.