Police in Toledo, Ohio, are gearing up for possible "civil unrest" during and after today's elections, according to a local TV station.
In an internal memo obtained exclusively by NBC 24 News, officers were ordered to "have their riot equipment with them Tuesday and Wednesday."
Toledo Police chief Mike Navarre confirms that officers will have gear similar to the equipment they used during the 2005 race riots.
"They have been asked to have their helmets and their gas masks available [today] and Wednesday," Navarre said. "That's the equipment they would not normally carry with them on a normal day."
Navarre also said officers will not be stationed at individual polling stations. But the memo obtained by the TV station says otherwise. It reads, "On Tuesday, units shall be directed to patrol the polling locations."
© 2026 Newsmax. All rights reserved.