Beverly Hills 'On Full Alert' Ahead Of Inauguration

BEVERLY HILLS, CA — Beverly Hills police are on high alert ahead of presidential inauguration Jan. 20, though they have not specified exactly what security measures they are taking.

BHPD Interim Chief Dominick Rivetti met with the City Council in a closed session Tuesday night. Earlier that day, he posted a video on the department's Facebook and Twitter pages promising that the department is "prepared and on full alert."

"As Inauguration Day approaches, and with the potential of increased protest activity across the country, our city is working to ensure your safety," Rivetti said. "The Beverly Hills Police Department remains in regular contact with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners as we share the latest information."

WATCH: Message from Beverly Hills Police Chief Dominick Rivetti about preparations for Inauguration Day pic.twitter.com/9MKVVDPy42
— Beverly Hills Police (@BeverlyHillsPD) January 12, 2021

In a Council meeting later that evening, Mayor Lester Friedman denounced the Capitol riots, and acknowledged that an unlawful assembly was declared during a "Stop the Steal" rally in downtown Beverly Hills that same day.

"It was outrageous, disappointing, and devastating to see the heart of our democracy under attack," Friedman said just after opening the meeting. "The history of our nation was forever altered, and most tragically, lives were lost.

"Here in Beverly Hills, our police department was prepared and fully staffed, as well as additional precautions implemented. After several hours, a fight broke out at the protest here in Beverly Hills, and an unlawful assembly was declared."

According to Rivetti, the protest began peacefully at Beverly Gardens Park at around 3 p.m. Wednesday. An unlawful assembly was declared at 5:30 p.m., and the westbound lane of N. Santa Monica Boulevard at Crescent Drive were temporarily closed. No arrests were made, though four arrests were made in a nearby protest in downtown Los Angeles after fights broke out.

Wednesday's protest marked but one of three protests in or near Beverly Hills last week. On Sunday, Jan. 3, anti-mask protesters walked through the Bloomingdales at Westfield Century City Mall and a nearby Ralphs grocery store chanting "No More Masks" and antagonizing shoppers and employees. Footage shows them refusing free masks and shouting and nearby shoppers and employees. One protester kicked a shopper, and chased another with a shopping cart. According to a Newsweek report based on a Twitter eyewitness report, one protester was detained after fighting with a customer, but was released shortly after, according to an eyewitness on Twitter.

On Saturday, Jan. 9, supporters gathered for a "Freedom Rally" and "Patriots Push Forward" demonstration at Beverly Gardens Park and in front of Wallis Annenberg Center on Santa Monica Boulevard, which has occurred weekly since the fall. No arrests or protests were made, but violence has broken out in the past.

Ahead of the November election, the Beverly Hills City Council voted unanimously to grant an extra $4.8 million to the Beverly Hills Police Department. The additional aid subsidized overtime for BHPD officers, services by two private armed security firms, support from the Santa Paula Police Department, and five new temporary BHPD officers.

The department was split between two alternating 12-hour shifts, with no days off. According to Assistant Chief of Police Marc Coopwood, the department contracted with the Santa Paula Police Department to provide two sergeants and 1o officers for 12 hours a day. The city also closed down Rodeo Drive to cars and pedestrians, from South Santa Monica Boulevard to Wilshire Boulevard through the election.

Election Day ended up passing with no incident.

Although the BHPD gave advance warning of these precautions, nothing is currently known about the specifics of its Inauguration preparations except the above statements that they are on "full alert."

The Beverly Hills City Council also voted unanimously on Oct. 27 in favor of an ordinance that limited areas where large protests can occur, required permits for gatherings over 25 people, prohibited nighttime demonstrations at either 7 p.m. or sunset, and banned gatherings over over 500 people, among other changes.

Related coverage:

'Patriots Push Forward' Rally Draws A Crowd In Beverly Hills

Unlawful Assembly Declared During Wednesday Beverly Hills Protest

Anti-Maskers Stage Protest At Century City Mall: Reports

Beverly Hills Cracks Down On Mass Gatherings

Beverly Hills Agrees To Additional $4.8M For Police And Security

SWAT Teams And Boarded Up Windows: Beverly Hills Prepares