BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — The Bakersfield Police Department issued a statement on Thursday night's protests, pointing out that most of the participants obeyed the law and peacefully left once the event was over. However, they also pointed out that despite rumors, the department has never asked businesses to close their doors because of the protests.

The protests began last week following the death of George Floyd.

Floyd died on Memorial Day after then Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin held a knee to Floyd’s neck for nearly nine minutes, likely causing his death. Chauvin has been charged with homicide, and three other officers have been charged with aiding and abetting a homicide.

In the statement, BPD said "Over the past week, there have been a number of rumors spread on social media claiming to provide warnings of looting, threats, or a request by police to close their doors. In some instances, businesses have shut down early or people have canceled plans to go out due to rumors of rioting or demonstrations. None of these rumors have turned out to be true in the Bakersfield area."

The BPD noted that though there were a few business burglaries, these appear to have been committed by organized groups, and arrests have been made and there is no information that connects the burglaries to local protests.

The BPD emphasized that the department would only ask businesses to close "if there is a known imminent threat" and this would be done by a uniformed police officer. They also asked businesses to contact them if they ever receive a call from someone purporting to be from the BPD asking them to close their business.

The BPD emphasized that the department would only ask businesses to close "if there is a known imminent threat" and this would be done by a uniformed police officer. They also asked businesses to contact them if they ever receive a call from someone purporting to be from the BPD asking them to close their business.