Some local businesses closing for DNC as Chicago police, Secret Service try to ease concerns
CHICAGO (WLS) -- Security around the United Center continued to ramp up on Tuesday with the Democratic National Convention now less than a week away.
The Secret Service and city officials reassured the public that the DNC will be safe, but concerns are prompting some local businesses to close their doors during the convention.
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Tuesday was the last of a series of security briefings the city and the Secret Service have held in the leadup to the DNC. As more perimeter fencing went up around the United Center, leaders tried to tamp down any lingering concerns about public safety.
More than a year of security planning for the DNC is now in its final phase. The buildout of the secure fencing perimeter continues around the United Center, and now around McCormick Place, with the convention just six days away.
"I'm confident that our plan will provide a safe and secure environment during the DNC," said Derek Mayer with the Secret Service Chicago.
City leaders conduced one final planning exercise to go over every last detail, making sure nothing is overlooked.
"Let me be absolutely clear: The city of Chicago is ready to host the 2024 Democratic National Convention," said Chicago Chief Operating Officer John Roberson.
Chicago police promised their officers will be protecting not just the areas around the convention, but neighborhoods as well.
But in the West Loop, one spa owner is not taking any chances and will close during the DNC to avoid dealing with inconveniences and safety concerns.
"I mean, protests lately don't stay peaceful. So, I don't know. It's so unpredictable. I just think it's a combination for a lot of different chaos to happen," said Vitahl Medical Aesthetics Co-owner Stephanie Wolf.
Others are not batting an eye about security, and are instead hoping for a convention boost in business.
"Definitely. Because in the past, when people have been visiting before COVID, we used to have a lot of tourist business," said Eyelashes R Us Owner Imrana Zafar.
With large planned protests raising potential security concerns, the city is repairing old pod cameras and installing new ones to ensure they can monitor key areas connected to the convention.
"We have eyes and ears on everything that we possibly can in that location, and we're working with our federal partners to make sure to ensure that we don't have a major incident occur in that area," said CPD Supt. Larry Snelling.
Protest groups filed a lawsuit against the city to be within "sight and sound" of the United Center to express their views on the war in Gaza.
But a judge ruled Monday that the city's plan, which has protesters more than 3 miles east of the convention site, meets First Amendment, safety and security concerns, so the city can keep its plan in place.
"We're here to show off our city," Roberson said. "We're here in this moment to show that Chicago can shine. We're here to demonstrate that in this moment, that we can host the most democratic of activities, the nomination of someone to the highest office of our land and to provide space and room for the full expression of our First and Fourth amendment rights."
Snelling said the department will remain flexible and ready to respond to whatever might happen, and they are constantly gathering intelligence from social media and other sources, hoping to keep ahead of any potential problems.
