UPDATE: No Curfew Enacted After San Leandro Police Receive Threat Of Possible Looting At Bayfair Mall
SAN LEANDRO (CBS SF) -- Officials in San Leandro decided against enacting a curfew late Wednesday night, after receiving what they described as "credible threats of criminal activity" targeting a local shopping center.
Around 10:35 p.m. police said that a curfew would not take place in the city due to "proactive work by the Police Department (intelligence gathering and enhanced physical presence), voluntary early closures of businesses, and residents choosing to stay home."
On Wednesday afternoon, San Leandro police said the department had received reports of planned looting Wednesday night at the Bayfair Center shopping mall.
"The City of San Leandro and the San Leandro Police Department respects the rights of people to peacefully protest, but the information we have is that criminal activity is being planned," read a statement on the city's website. "That information is based on statements made by known actors associated with other recent acts of looting and vandalism. Therefore, we are not taking this matter lightly and are preparing for it."
"Please prepare to shelter-in-place. We will notify residents of a final decision on this fluid situation," the statement went on to say. "Please call the San Leandro Police Department to report criminal activity. The safety of every resident is our highest priority. The City of San Leandro continues to protect the ability to peacefully protest while also providing safety to all residents."
Residents were urged to contact police about any suspicious or threatening activity and to not try to prevent a crime, while businesses and property owners were told to remain vigilant and take steps to safeguard properties and employees.
The department brought in additional officers to reinforce patrols and would have a heavy presence at the Bayfair Center. Police said that about 100 people took over the roadway and vehicles were seen circling the mall property. Authorities said they received information of another nearby city being targeted and forwarded information to law enforcement in that community, which was not specified in a police statement Wednesday night.
