CPD cancels days off for Sunday's Chicago Pride Parade; officers to line entire route, Snelling says
North Side businesses prepare to handle large crowds of their own
CHICAGO (WLS) -- Chicago police outlined the department's public safety plans for Sunday's Chicago Pride Parade during a press conference on Friday.
Safety is a top priority, and police said they will have an increase of officers along the parade route.
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CPD Supt. Larry Snelling and 44th Ward Alderman Bennett Lawson spoke at 11:30 a.m.
Snelling said officers will be along the entire route, and the department canceled days off to make sure they have enough manpower during the parade. He said the concern isn't so much the parade itself, but what happens after.
"We canceled days off to make sure that we have enough manpower out there, but we also want to make sure that we have enough manpower in the communities and the neighborhoods where we know violence crimes can occur," Snelling said. "We don't want to do anything to change the spirit of the parade."
Snelling urged people to tell an officer if they see anything suspicious. He added that that there will be pole markers with letters and numbers along the route so parade-goers can report issues at specific locations. Snelling also said his department will be paying attention to large gatherings following the parade.
We don't want to do anything to change the spirit of the parade.Larry Snelling, CPD Superintendent
Up and down the parade route, poles with have number markers on them for those in need of help or assistance from police to be easily located by officers.
There is a new route and an earlier start time this year.
The parade steps off at 11 a.m. Sunday, an hour earlier than usual, at Sheridan and Broadway before making its way southeast to Diversey and Sheridan. It marches through the city's Northalsted, Uptown and Lincoln Park neighborhoods, but it has been shortened by about six blocks and float entries were capped at 150.
Small business near the route said they are prepared to celebrate.
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Buzzed by Zea Salon and Bar is one of many business whose books are full as they countdown the hours to the parade.
"We do rainbows, we do reds, we do purples, we do all kinds of colors," salon owner Jerry Zea said. "It's a moment where everybody gets to express the love that they feel for the community."
For other businesses, like the Kit Kate Lounge, they are gearing up to handle crowds of their own.
"They're hoping that it'll help, you know, disperse people to businesses to help support the businesses during this time," Kit Kat Lounge owner Edward Gisiger said. "One of the big concerns that I have is if my feet are actually going to make it through it this year."
Set in one of the premiere locations to watch the parade, Gisiger said they get a packed house every year. In addition to a drag show, visitors can expect some upgrades.
"All the LED lights that you see on the ceiling over there, those are synchronized actually to the sound of music," Gisiger said.
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"The LGBTQ community especially, I feel like finally we are being accepted," Zea said.
ABC7 is proud to bring you a live broadcast of the parade on our website and in our app once again. Hosea Sanders, Jason Knowles, and Tanja Babich will lead our coverage.
You can also stream it on ABC7's connected TV apps and on ABC News Live on Hulu.
