PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — Police officers were on duty Wednesday evening to ensure Philadelphia remained safe after social media posts about looting and protests emerged.

“We are being very, very careful,” Philadelphia Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel said. “Make sure we protect our communities not just in Center City, but throughout the city.”

Officials say they are prepared for possible disruptions as Election Day rolls around.

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“There was an expectation that we would get a backlash regardless of the outcome of the election, so we are prepared,” Bethel said.

Action News was on Market Street as police officers dispersed the crowd of teenagers dressed in all black around 8:30 p.m.

Two people were detained during the incident.

“I ask parents to take care of their teenagers because if anyone engages in any negative activity, we will take appropriate action,” Bethel said.

Several units have also been stationed near stores that have been looted in the past.

“The Department has learned some lessons from previous activities when I return to office. They have a very strong plan that I fully support,” Bethel said.

Police said about a dozen teenagers in Hunting Park tried to break into the DTLR on Germantown Boulevard but were unsuccessful.

“We have some opportunists, people who take advantage of something and just make attempts to cause harm or deface property,” Bethel said.

In Center City, along Walnut Street, the New Balance store was boarded up as crews prepared to secure Pandora. On Chestnut Street, guards stood in front of Foot Locker.

Some businesses, like LuLu Lemon and J Crew in Center City as well as those on Aramingo Avenue in Port Richmond, even had a sign on their door saying they were closing early.

While the Socialist Alternative and Revolutionary Communists of America protested peacefully, officers also surrounded City Hall.

“We are here to start a mass movement against Trump’s right-wing agenda and stop his mass deportation program,” said Eric Jenkins, one of the protesters.

“We’re ready to go here, but we hope this continues to be a peaceful process,” Bethel said.