After today's (light?) two-year-sentencing of former BART cop Johannes Mehserle, Oakland is preparing itself for any possible melee. The scene outside Oakland City hall is growing in numbers, but, as of this afternoon, is reportedly peaceful.

Providing continuing updates, SF Appeal reports, "According to an Appeal pal who works at the Oakland Federal building, it's been closed and all employees have been sent home. 'Lots of cops all over,' they say."

Oakland Police are beefing up numbers. YouthRadio sent out the following Twitter message, "OPD tells all Parking Enforcement cars to come back to base."

Update: SFist commenter tea reports, "There's a noticeable police presence here at Powell and Embarcadero BART stations. They got big ol' German Shepherds and everything. "