PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A number of area business owners impacted by last summer's civil unrest are on edge as they await a verdict in the trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin. City officials are warning them to take precautions.
Chauvin was charged with second-degree murder in the death of George Floyd. Prosecutors argued Chauvin caused Floyd's death by kneeling on his neck for close to nine minutes while restraining him. Chauvin's attorneys countered that Floyd died due to heart failure caused by drugs he had ingested earlier, including fentanyl.
Philadelphia Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw said she believes most of the protests over the next few days will be peaceful. However, she still warned businesses to be prepared.
"Businesses should protect the exterior of their buildings," advised a spokesperson. "They should bring in non-fixed items like signs, glass flowerpots, things like that. If security cameras are installed, they should make sure they're working and pointed in the right direction."
Business owners like David Simms of Eatible Delights in Mt. Airy expressed worry, recalling what they went through last year.
"We have a sneaker store that was looted and vandalized, a pretzel store that was looted and vandalized," he said.
"The reality is everyone on my corridor works hard. They come in seven days a week, they're struggling through this pandemic. A lot of them are just really trying to make ends meet."
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Simms said he and his fellow business owners are pleading for peace.
"I'm concerned about what happens next week as well as a business owner, because I work hard. I'm giving to my community. I wanna make sure that everything goes well not just for myself but for those other small businesses," he said.
Gov. Tom Wolf activated more than 1,000 Pennsylvania National Guard troops Friday following a request from city officials, as they anticipate the verdict.
Simms said he is in favor of the National Guard's presence in the city, while some other business owners said more could be done.