SAN DIEGO (CNS) - Business owners Monday will assess the damages done by looters who broke into downtown San Diego stores after police broke up a protest ostensibly held to seek justice for George Floyd, a black man killed in police custody in Minneapolis.
10News learned several downtown stores were broken into late Sunday evening, including a CVS Pharmacy and Vans shop.
Earlier in the day, police used tear gas and flash-bang grenades against protesters and issued an unlawful assembly order in the area of Broadway, downtown, due to escalating violence. Police made numerous arrests after officers were hit with rocks and water bottles.
In a tweet early Monday, San Diego police said more than 100 people were arrested and taken to jail between Sunday and Monday morning.
Police said the charges range from "failure to disperse, burglary, assaulting officers & vandalism."
Police added that "peaceful demonstrations will be facilitated" and "violent & destructive acts will be addressed."
San Diego County officials declared a state of emergency Sunday in reaction to police protests nationwide, and several cities imposed an overnight curfew. Jeff Collins, a county spokesman, said the state of emergency was declared in part so the sheriff's department could impose a curfew for unincorporated areas. He said it would also allow the county to seek federal reimbursement if needed.
RELATED COVERAGE:
According to a news release, the curfew was to be imposed at 8 p.m. Sunday in several unincorporated communities including Lakeside and Spring Valley.
According to the San Diego County Sheriff's Department, all residents were urged to "stay home, indoors and off the streets." Violation of the curfew order is a misdemeanor and subject to a fine of up to $1,000 or up to six months in jail, or both. It was unclear if anyone had been arrested for violating curfew orders.
Poway also imposed a curfew beginning at 8 p.m. Law enforcement, fire, medical personnel and members of the media are exempt from curfew, as are those commuting "directly to and from work, seeking emergency care, fleeing dangerous circumstances or experiencing homelessness," according to the city.
The city of El Cajon Sunday proclaimed a "dire local emergency" in the wake of protests, and imposed a curfew that began at 7 p.m.
Santee, National City, Coronado, and Lemon Grove were also among the cities that put curfews into place.
