Secret Service, Chicago police outline DNC safety plan; no known credible threat to convention
CPD prepared to deal with any protests that pop up
CHICAGO (WLS) -- The Secret Service shared new details Thursday about the security perimeter around the upcoming Democratic National Convention.
Thousands of Democrats will converge on the United Center and McCormick Place, beginning Aug. 19.
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"We are proud to host the 2024 Democratic National Convention and truly showcase the reason we call Chicago the best city in the world," Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson said in a statement. "While Chicagoans and visitors will experience the very best our city has to offer in vibrancy, diversity, and culture, our top priority remains ensuring a safe convention for both attendees and residents. We have worked closely with our partners at the Federal, state, and local levels to develop a comprehensive security plan that caters to the needs of the convention and simultaneously supports the lives of Chicagoans who rely on our services each day."
Friday morning, the Secret Service plans to distribute maps and information in those areas near the convention sites. The plan includes help from outside law enforcement, so Chicago police have enough officers for the neighborhoods.
The Secret Service is under intense scrutiny after former President Donald Trump was shot at a campaign rally.
"We have reviewed the security plan for the DNC and remain confident. Our plan allows us to adjust for any possible scenario," said Derek Mayer, Secret Service deputy special-agent-in-charge.
The Secret Service, in connection with the Chicago police and other law-enforcement agencies, have been preparing for the convention for about a year and a half.
The Democratic National Convention is designated as a National Special Security Event. Thursday morning, the Secret Service unveiled the final details of their security plan.
There will be two perimeters for the DNC venues, and they will be similar to the protections that were put in place for the Republican National Convention last week in Milwaukee.
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There will be an outer perimeter, where vehicles will be allowed, and an inner perimeter, where only credentialed delegates and media will be allowed on foot.
Two venues that will be covered by the plan, with their own separate perimeters, are the United Center, which will host the main convention itself, and McCormick Place, where delegates will hold meetings during the day.
Local and federal officials said Thursday that pedestrian closures and vehicle screening perimeter enforcement will begin at 7 p.m. Aug. 17 around United Center.
They said the same will begin around McCormick Place at 10 p.m. Aug. 16.
"I am deeply grateful to the United States Secret Service and all of our law enforcement partners across Federal, state, and local government for their work to ensure the safety and security of the Democratic National Convention," Gov. JB Pritzker said in a statement. "Their tireless efforts and coordination will ensure convention-goers and residents alike will experience this historic moment without fear for their safety and with minimal disruption to their day-to-day activities."
The Secret Service, back in March, described the kinds of potential threats the security plan seeks to address.
"For more than a year, the U.S. Secret Service team here in Chicago has been working with the Chicago Police Department and our other Federal, state and local partners to devise a security plan that will provide a safe and secure environment for those attending the convention, as well as minimizing impacts on the public," said Assistant Special Agent in Charge Jeff Burnside, the U.S. Secret Service's 2024 DNC coordinator. "Security surrounding the DNC is of paramount importance and this plan, which is a result of our combined efforts, will ensure that."
Chicago police have also been training and preparing for their role, which is protecting the area outside the convention.
"We have been training and working with our federal partners for more than a year to prepare for a safe and successful DNC," Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling said. "We are constantly assessing and reassessing our resources based on intelligence and best practices. We're doing this as we look ahead to the convention, and we will be doing this in real-time during the convention. Flexibility plays a vital role in our safety planning."
FBI Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Chicago Field Division Lucas Rothaar said Thursday there is no known credible threat to the DNC.
"We are living in an elevated threat environment," Rothaar said. "We do acknowledge the vast threats that we face as a nation running from violent crime to international terrorism, domestic air terrorism, and hate crimes along with a host of other threats. The FBI is committed to devoting all resources as needed to combat any threats should they arise. Our special agents, intelligence analysts, professional staff are prepared for this mission."
But frustration is growing among some residents near the United Center.
"It's going to be quite the headache because we just know that we ain't going to be able to park in front of our house where we pay rent," said Georgia Jones.
Last week, the CPD sent the chief of counterterrorism to Milwaukee to review the security plan in place there. He described how CPD is preparing for the DNC.
"What you do is you keep going over and over protocol over security, double checking everything," CPD Counterterrorism Chief Duane Devries said. "You have to keep your social media teams on top of it. All your intel out there."
Chicago police are also planning for mass protests but have trained to handle demonstrations constitutionally. Supt. Snelling said the department is committed to free expression.
"What we will not tolerate is vandalism to our city. What we will not tolerate is violent activity," Snelling said.
They will be getting help from more than 500 officers from outside agencies, but they will not be assigned to patrol neighborhoods.
"So I don't want anyone to walk away from here believing that this safety plan is just about the DNC; it's about our city because we can't have a successful Democratic National Convention, if we're not protecting the entire city as a whole," said Snelling.
Pro-Palestinian protest groups are still pushing for closer access to the United Center, demanding to be able to march on Washington Boulevard. But, so far, a spokesman said the city is not allowing that. Police say they will be ready for whatever happens.
Ands if there's an influx of migrants from Texas, as is reportedly planned by Governor Greg Abbott, officials say there's room for thousands in city shelters.
"But we certainly hope that, you know, Governor Abbott finds Jesus Christ as his lord and savior and don't do that," said Mayor Brandon Johnson.
History of National Security Special Events in Chicago
The Democratic Party convention has been branded by federal authorities as a National Security Special Event, only the 79th time in American history that such a designation has been given.
The last time Chicago hosted a political convention, 1996, there was no such thing as an official National Security Special Event. The money, manpower and master plan were simply built from scratch.
Chicago's first designated National Security Special Event was in 2021 for the NATO Summit. It would remain the city's only NSSE until next month.
"The convention has been designated a National Security Special Event, which brings with it a full complement of resources from the federal government. These NSSE's also rely heavily on partnership," Chicago U.S. Secret Service Deputy Special Agent in Charge Derek Mayer said.
The acting head of the FBI in Chicago Thursday said there is no known threat to the DNC, a common refrain in an era when threats become known only after something happens.
Chicago residents, businesses learn of restrictions
Sitting in the shadow of the United Center are the Henry Horner Apartments. A freshly painted fence and some new landscaping came just in time to greet the thousands of delegates that will descend on the area for the Democratic National Convention in just over three weeks.
But, while residents are grateful, what they really want to know is how restricted their movements will be.
Already, they've been told their main parking lot will be off-limits. And they will need to prove they live there to be allowed in and out of the established security perimeter.
"Because of some medical problems, I take the PACE bus. We have tenants in the building. We have a tenant in the building that has dialysis. We want to make sure we can still get the PACE bus, but we haven't found out yet," Henry Horner resident Terrance Evans said.
The Secret Service has had two meetings with residents over the last few months, even as the exact security perimeters had yet to be finalized.
"In April, the Secret Service actually went door-to-door canvassing in the areas, actually a much larger area than you see depicted on these maps, letting people know what things were coming," Burnside said.
Some of that canvassing has included handing out flyers to those who operate in the impacted areas.
Among them is Pizano's Pizza and Pasta, which is directly across from McCormick Place.
"I think the biggest impact we will see is just increased foot traffic, which we're super excited about. We did get notified today with the release of the maps that we will be in the vicinity of which they will be checking vehicles," said Holly Malnati, communications director for Pizano's.
While buses that go through the areas will continue to operate, officials do warn residents there will be reroutes, which users will have to be on notice for.
The Secret Service said they will be doing some additional canvassing starting Friday.
