MADISON (WKOW) -- Madison police have prepared and planned for unrest in downtown Madison over the coming days, though have not heard of any specific threats.
Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway and Interim Police Chief Vic Wahl spoke on law enforcement preparations at a briefing Thursday morning.
"I want residents of Madison to know that there is no specific threat to Madison," Rhodes -Conway said. "I am hoping that the week will pass without incident, but I want Madisonians to know we are prepared."
Wahl reiterated that no specific threat to Madison has been made.
The FBI warned of attempts to organize "armed protests" in all 50 state capitals and Washington D.C. around the inauguration.
Wahl said that Madison police would maintain an "enhanced staffing posture" through Jan. 20, the day Joe Biden will assume the office of President of the United States.
Wahl acknowledged one protest was scheduled for downtown Madison on Sunday, and told the public to avoid the area due to the potential for street closures and traffic issues. The interim chief did not specify who was organizing the protest or give specific times other than to say would take place around "midday."
Authorities will set up a unified command post to respond to any unrest. Wahl said that one benefit of the riots from the previous summer is that the department is now well drilled in setting up and running the unified command post.
Wahl said his department would work with other law enforcement agencies in managing unrest like the Capitol Police, UW-Madison Police and the Dane County Sheriff's Office.
Gov. Tony Evers has also mobilized members of Wisconsin's National Guard to aid local law enforcement in Madison over the coming days.
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