Chicago police to increase presence in summer months to curb violence, unruly crowds
CHICAGO (WLS) -- Downtown was bustling Friday evening as the weather has warmed up. Police have been patrolling, keeping watch on crowds at Millennium Park and those enjoying the lakefront.
City officials unveiled their summer safety plan Friday. These large crowds and gatherings are priority number one.
The plan was announced weeks after chaotic events downtown, where hundreds of teens engaged in violent behavior in the Loop and Millennium Park. They jumped on cars, damaged property and, in one viral video, assaulted tourists.
"We didn't have any information that the teens were going to show up. When they did show up, it took us a while to mobilize our resources," said CPD Chief of Patrol Brian McDermott.
The chaotic warm weekend was thrust into the national spotlight as teenagers caused mayhem on Michigan Avenue and 31st Street Beach. Some teens were shot, and dozens of arrests were made. Businesses, residents and tourists were concerned for their safety.
On Friday, the Chicago Police Department, the Office of Emergency Management and Communications and the Chicago Fire Department detailed how they plan to keep the city safe this summer at OEMC headquarters.
"We've had multiple planning sessions with OEMC, with Chicago public schools, with the CTA. We have put a lot of measures in place to ensure that we have a better response next time," McDermott said.
The CPD chief of patrol said they've created new plans and have additional resources in place at all times now downtown. Police captains and executive members will also be leading platoons after reports of possible leadership confusion last time.
"I think we can do a better job managing resources, and taking the right individuals into custody and trying to keep people safe downtown," McDermott said.
Chicago Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson responded to the destructive activity at the time, calling it "unacceptable," and went on to say, "It is not constructive to demonize youth, who have otherwise been starved of opportunities in their own communities."
On the cusp of summer, there's mixed emotions about how the city can effectively enact their plan to keep residents and tourists safe while visiting downtown.
"There is a fear and there is a hope that the police department will be able to keep a handle on the issues that have arisen," said president of South Loop Neighbors Jim Wales.
Wales said that in the wake of last month's downtown chaos, the city has tried to ease fears.
"There has been a tremendous increase in communication between not only the police department but other governmental agencies," Wales said.
Jermaine Anderson, a youth mentoring organizer, who shares the same goal of keeping the city safe this summer, said he has high hopes for CPD's improved planning.
"I am encouraged. The plan sounded like it was well thought out, that it was thorough," said Anderson, who founded the nonprofit I Am A Gentleman. "We wanted to make sure that it is a plan for the entire city of Chicago to be safe, and not just a plan that places strict measures and enforcement against Black and Brown teens."
Police said they are significantly increasing their presence downtown and near Millennium Park. They will also have bag checks at the beaches and lakefront.
In addition, OEMC said it has activated its Summer Operations Center, which it called its "nucleus" for deploying public safety personnel and resources citywide. OEMC said that's part of the city's overall efforts to reduce violence.
The safety plan was announced as the violence continues. On Thursday night, police found a 19-year-old man shot twice in the face. The victim was a passenger in a vehicle traveling in the 2500-block of West Peterson Avenue when someone drove up and opened fire. He is in serious condition at the hospital.
The city is also waiting for a new police superintendent.
Mayor-Elect Brandon Johnson will officially be in office on May 15. He will replace the current interim Superintendent, Eric Carter, with another interim, Fred Waller until he decides on a new superintendent.
But, summer safety goes beyond combatting violence. CFD reminded everyone to be careful near and in the water. Fire officials recommend swimming with a partner, keeping an eye on children and making sure that everyone on a boat has a life jacket.
Fire officials also urged those grilling to be aware of their surroundings to prevent injuries and damage. Propane and charcoal grills should only be used outdoors and never on porches, CFD said. Grills should never be left unattended.
Heading into the summer, CPD said shootings and homicides are down so far this year, and that crime on CTA property is also down.
