Photos: Trump supporters converge on Beverly Hills

Police across the Southland were on heightened alert Tuesday at the climax of a highly contentious presidential election that sparked fears of large demonstrations, regardless of who won.

In Beverly Hills, supporters of President Trump gathered at Beverly Gardens Park on Tuesday afternoon and into the evening, according to Beverly Hills police, who said the assembly was peaceful.

Some business owners prepared for the possibility of chaos and looting by boarding up their windows or removing merchandise from shops and store fronts.

A Trump supporter waves a Trump 2020 flag in front of a line of Beverly Hills police in Beverly Gardens Park on Santa Monica Boulevard on Tuesday night.

(Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

A motorist flying a Trump flag drives past Beverly Gardens Park in Beverly Hills on Tuesday night.

(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

Trump supporter Ivan Valencia of Los Angeles, center, joins demonstration on Santa Monica Boulevard in Beverly Hills on Tuesday night.

(Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

Faviala Raley of Ventura signals four more years for President Trump at Beverly Gardens Park on Tuesday night.

(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

Trump supporters wave flags and cheer at Beverly Gardens Park on Tuesday night.

(Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

A Trump supporter holds an Israeli flag at a gathering on Santa Monica Boulevard in Beverly Hills on Tuesday.

(Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

Jesslynn Valencia, 7, center, of East Los Angeles joins her family at a gathering of Trump supporters in Beverly Hills.

(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

Beverly Hills police stand ready as Trump supporters wave flags and cheer at a gathering in Beverly Gardens Park.

(Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)