Law enforcement and other first responders in Bloomington-Normal are making preparations for Election Day and what may happen afterward.

“It’s obviously been one of those issues that we’ve been concerned about since the last election.” Illinois State University Police Chief Aaron Woodruff said, noting that while the January 6, 2021 attack on the US Capitol Although it was not local, it served as a reminder that elections can turn violent.

Woodruff said his department has participated in a series of tabletop training exercises over the past six months with other emergency responders in Bloomington-Normal, election officials and homeland security. He said they are planning almost anything.

“(From) the most likely scenario of a power outage, which at our polling place (at the Bone Student Center) could complicate things, to the worst-case scenario is bomb threats and things like that,” Woodruff said.

Then there’s what could happen after the election. There could be reasons to celebrate or be angry, probably both.

Normal Police Town Chief Steve Petrilli said he doesn’t anticipate unrest, but said his department is ready if this happens.

“Our community remains safe and if it is necessary for us to intervene, our people have been properly trained to do so,” Petrilli said.

Bloomington Police Department Spokesman Bryce Janssen said his department is not aware of any threats of violence, but plans to monitor any large gatherings that may develop.

“Any time we have a gathering of people of that magnitude, we encourage officers to spend a little more time in that area, whether it’s completing paperwork at a nearby location or simply driving around more frequently and making their presence known,” Janssen said. Adding that Bloomington police are prepared to request additional assistance or rely on mutual aid from other agencies if necessary.

Woodruff said the gatherings were small and peaceful after the 2020 presidential election, which took four days before Joe Biden was declared the winner. This also came as many people largely avoided large gatherings due to the COVID pandemic.

He noted that opposing political factions had clashed with each other shortly after Donald Trump was declared the winner in 2016, and while tempers may have flared, the incident did not turn violent.

Woodruff said ISU also has its demo security equipmentwith university administrators trained in First Amendment rights and de-escalation to intervene.

“We have protests on campus pretty regularly,” Woodruff said.