Security tight ahead of New Year's Eve celebrations

CHICAGO (WLS) -- How safe will you be tonight as you head out to celebrate in the Chicago area?

Many are excited to ring in the New Year, and the city wants them to be able to do so safely.

The Grand Ballroom at Navy Pier is preparing thousands of New Year's revelers expected to attend their year-end celebration.

"We expect a lot of people. Again our annual fireworks show begins right a midnight. We expect anywhere from 50,000 to 75,000 throughout the day," says Brian Murphy, Chief Operating Officer of Navy Pier.

Chilly temperatures are not expected to keep party-goers from ringing in 2016.

Workers at the Trump Tower's Rebar are putting up the finishing touches, while organizers of the city's first outdoor New Year's celebration set up their stage. They are expecting 10,000 people along Wacker Drive.

For the third year, Gallery Guichard on Chicago's South Side will host its New Year's Eve celebration which also raises money for breast cancer research.

"It's a great event. Two rooms of live entertainment. It's going to be exciting live entertainment: DJ, dancing, as well as a lavish buffet," says Andre Guichard.

Security everywhere is tight for this holiday. In Brussels, threats of an attack shut down New Year's festivities. The Chicago Police Department says there is no credible threat in the city, but they are adding extra officers, patrols and resources to downtown events as well as in the city's neighborhoods to make sure partiers stay safe.

"What you won't see, obviously, the covert civilian dressed officers, but that's always part of our deployments and security planning, whether it's surveillance, covert surveillance teams, to explosive canines, to crowd technicians, to SWAT personnel," says Chicago Police Deputy Chief Steve Georgas.

As the final hours of 2015 draw to a close, many are saying goodbye to a year marred by attacks and some refuse to let fear ruin their celebration.

Chicago police say they will not tolerate any illegal activity, including drunk driving and firing guns at the midnight hour. They say they will fully prosecute anyone caught doing those illegal activities. They also say that if anyone sees something suspicious, they should not hesitate to call 911.