Secret Service, Chicago police canvas area around United Center ahead of DNC
Authorities to distribute maps, information on security perimeter around United Center, McCormick Place for convention
CHICAGO (WLS) -- The Secret Service and Chicago police are canvassing neighborhoods by the United Center right Friday, passing out important information to residents and businesses on security measures in place during the Democratic National Convention next month.
They are handing out brochures that contain maps of closed areas along with a QR code with other helpful tips.
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Secret Service officials said this canvassing process will take a few hours to complete.
During this process, they really want to lower anxiety from people who work and live in the area about the impending changes.
This comes as the Secret Service unveiled a security map for the United Center during the DNC.
The areas highlighted in red will have no public access, while the areas in yellow will have limited public access.
The Secret Service is responsible for security at the United Center and the immediate areas around the UC. That's called the 'hard' perimeter.
Chicago police are responsible for the 'soft' zone - the area outside the Secret Service's controlled areas.
"The objective is to effectively and efficiently communicate our plan and mitigate confusion moving towards DNC," Joel Hefferman with the Secret Service said.
"We are really here to make sure we can start lowering the anxiety. We understand there are a lot of questions," Glen Brooks with CPD said. "Today, we are providing answers and we will continue that by having community meetings, meeting with stakeholders and really having conversations with people so they know what to expect."
There will be a similar security set-up at McCormick Place, which will also be holding some DNC events.
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The restrictions go into effect the evening of August 17, two nights before the convention begins.
With protests anticipated during the convention, it's still not clear exactly where these groups will be staged.
