最新蜜桃影像

The results are in sooner than expected, but the uncertainty for businesses in downtown D.C. continues as they tell 最新蜜桃影像 they will remain barricaded until after the inauguration. 

One of the businesses is Potbelly, located opposite the White House. Assistant Manager Danna Kelly said some of her colleagues feel uneasy with the barricades; 鈥渋t鈥檚 a little nerve-wracking not to know what鈥檚 going on outside.鈥�

It鈥檚 affecting business. Sitting in an empty shop at lunchtime, Kelly said, 鈥渋t鈥檚 pretty dark and isolated.鈥� 

Kelly thought the security measures were precautionary, telling 最新蜜桃影像, 鈥淚f nothing’s happened now or thus far, I don’t think we have too much more to worry about.鈥� 

But Ray Copper, an employee at T-Mobile鈥檚 nearby location, said, 鈥淚 anticipate something going on.鈥� He said, 鈥淵ou never know people get a little riled up at this time,鈥� referring to previous vandalism. 

Copper said he supported the safety measures D.C. was implementing, considering – located down the street – had been vandalized and looted in 2020 during a protest over the death of George Floyd.

Devonte Williams, a resident of DC for over 30 years, said he had never seen election safety precautions like this year. He also said as someone who experienced the anxiety of the Jan. 6 Capitol attack near his home, he was thankful for the preventive actions taking place around the District.

How long will barriers last?

Mayor Muriel Bowser responded to questions about boarded-up businesses in a press conference on Nov. 4. The mayor said the Metropolitan Police Department  鈥渋s out in all eight wards and is very focused on commercial districts.鈥� She said they will share information with so-called business improvement districts 鈥渟o they know what we know and we trust that they will make the right decisions.鈥�

Bowser said the city expects to request National Guard help between now and Inauguration Day. 

Golden Triangle business district, home to more than 550 shops, bars and restaurants, including on Pennsylvania Avenue, has encouraged businesses to be 鈥渞eady with a plan for if a threat does emerge,鈥� according to an emailed statement.

In the meantime, the U.S. Secret Service spokesperson, Alexi Worley, wrote in an email that fencing and other physical public safety measures put in place for Election Day are expected to be removed this weekend.

Other businesses are more focused on getting customers over the emotional barriers of the election, particularly in heavily Democratic D.C.

, a cat cafe in Georgetown, has in the last day noticed an increased police presence, but they鈥檝e decided not to board up their windows, a manager said. 

Sydney Floyd, shift manager at the facility, said customers have come in this morning 鈥渄efinitely bummed over the results.鈥� The customers are coming in for some animal therapy. Floyd noticed less foot traffic, too. 

鈥淚 would assume that people are, I don鈥檛 know, either staying clear out of D.C. for the most part or are celebrating elsewhere,鈥� she said.