Salt Lake City Police announce proactive measures ahead of the election

SALT LAKE CITY – With Friday being the last day of early voting, Fox 13 stopped by the Salt Lake County Government Center where the voting process was going smoothly.

Still, several law enforcement agencies, including the Salt Lake Police Department, are keeping an eye on things to avoid any disruptions between now and Tuesday’s Election Day.

“We are working with our local, state and federal partners to allocate resources as needed

to safely address any concerns that arise during election week,” said Salt Lake City Police Detective Dalton Beebe.

Detective Beebe said the department wants to keep everything close to the vest, in an effort not to reveal tactics should anything untoward happen regarding the election.

“Now we don’t have any specific threats or anything like that, but we have been training,” Beebe said. “We have increased our operational readiness and are prepared to address anything that arises.”

In conversations with local voters, they appreciate that the police are proactive, but at the same time they do not believe that there will be voting irregularities or violence in connection with the elections.

“Here in Utah I don’t think so, I think we’ll be fine,” said Millcreek resident Jaccson Randall.

“Honestly, I think this is wasting our money. You know what I mean, I don’t think this will happen in Utah.”

Salt Lake City resident Jason Lemon felt like authorities may have overreacted.

“As far as vigilance is concerned, I don’t think it is necessary here. There is no need here, it is a fairly calm state,” he said. “People are quite peaceful.”

Still, given the controversial political climate, Salt Lake police aren’t taking any chances.

“You will see officers in the community, I mean say hello to us, but we are ready to respond to anything,” Beebe said.