PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — While polls are open on Tuesday, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., District Attorney Larry Krasner says, the city's Election Task Force will be activated to keep the primary election safe and fair.
Lyandra Retacco, task force chief, gave out a phone number for all voters to remember: 215-686-9641
"If there's any issues, if there's any questions about … anyone who was trying to enter the polling place with you, anyone who was trying to tell you who you can and cannot vote for, anyone who is trying to restrict your entrance to a polling place … or interfere with your right, in any way," Retacco said.
Krasner pointed to the successes of the city's efforts in 2020 to pre-emptively stop threats, when tensions were high for the presidential election.
"Two men thought it makes sense in a democracy to get into a Humvee and come up here with an AR-style, long rifle with over 150 rounds of ammunition. We knew they were coming in. Philadelphia police pulled them over. They were arrested," Krasner said. "They were arrested, they were prosecuted, they were convicted."
Managing Director Adam Thiel says part of the city's effort is focused on combating disinformation.
"Our public safety officials at all levels of government, especially here in the city, are working diligently together to address any possible criminal activity and prevent myths or disinformation from impacting our local elections," Thiel said.
Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel says officers will be out in force.
"All of our patrol districts will have teams of personnel, police officers, assigned to respond to calls for assistance and our polling locations," Bethel said. "These officers will be wearing their body cameras, and capturing any activity that we see as we go through that process."
For more information on the 2024 election, visit vote.phila.gov.
