Memorial Day safety: Chicago beefs up security around city for holiday weekend

Memorial Day weekend is usually a violent one in Chicago.

Final 12 months, 32 folks have been shot over the weekend, 3 of them fatally.

Nevertheless, this 12 months, all officers’ days off are being canceled and the town’s amended curfew is in impact for unaccompanied minors.

Earlier than the weekend even began, there was an alarming sight for folks residing within the Close to North neighborhood as gunmen openly opened hearth Thursday evening. Greater than three dozen photographs have been fired, with bullets hitting vehicles and residences. Fortuitously, nobody was injured.

However for residents, guests and metropolis leaders, it is one other disconcerting second as folks get able to kick off Memorial Day weekend.

“That is absolutely a second the place we have to come collectively as a metropolis authorities, as elected officers, however as residents,” Mayor Lori Lightfoot stated.

Demand for personal safety in neighborhoods, companies grows in Chicago and suburbs

Police are beefing up their presence in parks and on the seashores, which they know will appeal to massive numbers of individuals.

“In these areas, we’ll have extra bike patrols [and] extra foot patrols so as to add security and safety 24/7 in any respect these main occasions,” Chicago Police Superintendent David Brown stated.

Metropolis leaders additionally reiterated that younger persons are welcome downtown whereas reminding them, and oldsters, of the brand new 10 p.m. weekend curfew for these below 18.

“I urge our college students to spend time with small teams of associates and keep away from massive gatherings which may get out of hand,” stated Chicago Public Colleges CEO Pedro Martinez.

After a deadly taking pictures close to the “Bean,” night safety checkpoints for unaccompanied minors will stay in impact. Police are additionally making ready for crowds to go elsewhere.

“So, I really feel assured in our plan that we now have for this weekend and actually for this summer time. However actually, we’re bought to be nimble and versatile as a result of circumstances and features must be modified,” Lightfoot stated.

The cooler temperatures Friday evening could assist maintain crowds down for the kickoff to the vacation weekend, however hotter temperatures the subsequent few days may imply for a busy weekend for police right here and elsewhere.