Current:Home > FinanceChicago police chief says out-of-town police won’t be posted in city neighborhoods during DNC-LoTradeCoin
Chicago police chief says out-of-town police won’t be posted in city neighborhoods during DNC
View Date:2024-12-24 10:15:46
CHICAGO (AP) — Outside police agencies that’ll help secure the Democratic National Convention in Chicago next month will not be posted in city neighborhoods, Police Superintendent Larry Snelling said Thursday as federal authorities released maps of convention security perimeters.
The renewed attention on out-of-town police comes after Ohio officers in Milwaukee for the Republican National Convention earlier this month fatally shot a man at a park not far from the downtown convention site.
As many as 500 officers, mostly from Illinois agencies, will travel to Chicago to boost DNC security. They’ll be directing traffic and working at the numerous checkpoints around the convention sites of the United Center and McCormick Place.
“This will free up our officers, our Chicago police officers, to be in more volatile areas,” Snelling said at a news conference with the U.S. Secret Service, FBI, Gov. J.B. Pritzker and city leaders. “We can’t have a successful Democratic National Convention, if we’re not protecting the entire city as a whole.”
All Chicago police officers have received training related to constitutional policing ahead of the convention. Snelling said those coming to Chicago for the convention will receive 8 to 12 hours on city policies and expectations.
Residents in the nation’s third-largest city are bracing for the convention which is expected to draw roughly 50,000 visitors. Convention planners have been scrambling to accommodate a new nominee since President Joe Biden’s announcement that he was dropping out of the race. Momentum has been building for Vice President Kamala Harris as the new Democratic nominee.
But Snelling said no changes have been made to the security plan. The maps outline the security perimeters, including streets that will be closed to traffic.
Federal law enforcement agencies said they have been preparing for over a year. Lucas Rothaar, FBI Chicago Acting Special Agent in Charge, said no known threats have been made related to the convention. The U.S. Secret Service reiterated its safety blueprint ahead of the RNC, which came just after the apparent assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump, and again on Thursday.
“We have reviewed the security plan for the DNC and remain confident,” said Deputy Special Agent in Charge Derek Mayer.
Protests in Chicago are expected to be bigger and more spread out than in Milwaukee, where the largest event drew roughly 1,000 attendees downtown and there were few arrests. Chicago police have changed their mass arrest policy while the Circuit Court of Cook County said it’s making adjustments like opening an extra facility in case of mass arrests.
What to know about the 2024 Election
- Read the latest: Follow AP’s live coverage of this year’s election.
- We want to hear from you: How did you first learn that President Biden was dropping out of the race and where did you turn to for your news?
- Democracy: American democracy has overcome big stress tests since 2020. More challenges lie ahead in 2024.
- AP’s Role: The Associated Press is the most trusted source of information on election night, with a history of accuracy dating to 1848. Learn more.
- Stay informed. Keep your pulse on the news with breaking news email alerts. Sign up here.
Activists have been at odds with the city over where they can demonstrate, rejecting city plans to put them near a lakefront park roughly 3 miles (4.83 kilometers) from the West Side convention site. But in recent weeks, both sides have been in talks for a closer location.
Chicago Department of Transportation Commissioner Tom Hardy said Thursday that details were being finalized to allow protests “within sight and sound of the United Center.”
Mayor Brandon Johnson said the city is prepared for the “historic convention” in all aspects from security to beautification projects like planting flowers and painting light poles. Chicago has also made a controversial decision to move a homeless encampment ahead of the convention.
“Let me state this unequivocally,” he said. “Chicago is ready.”
veryGood! (32823)
Related
- Firefighters make progress, but Southern California wildfire rages on
- Norfolk Southern alone should pay for cleanup of Ohio train derailment, judge says
- Delaware House approved requirements to buy a handgun, including fingerprints and training
- Chiefs fans who endured freezing temperatures during NFL playoffs may require amputations
- 'Underbanked' households more likely to own crypto, FDIC report says
- Introduction to TEA Business College
- Sen. Tammy Duckworth says Alabama's new law protecting IVF does not go far enough
- Jake Paul, 27, to fight 57-year-old Mike Tyson live on Netflix: Time to put Iron Mike to sleep
- Patrick Mahomes Breaks Silence on Frustrating Robbery Amid Ongoing Investigation
- Remains of California Navy sailor killed in Pearl Harbor attack identified
Ranking
- Suspect arrested after deadly Tuskegee University homecoming shooting
- Florida public schools could make use of chaplains under bill going to DeSantis
- Evercross EV5 hoverboards are a fire risk — stop using them, feds say
- Key moments from Sen. Katie Britt's Republican response to 2024 State of the Union
- DWTS’ Sasha Farber and Jenn Tran Prove They're Closer Than Ever Amid Romance Rumors
- February 2024 was the hottest on record, with global temperatures surpassing critical climate threshold
- Red Bull Racing dismisses grievance against Christian Horner, suspends his accuser
- New Lake Will Fuel Petrochemical Expansion on Texas Coast
Recommendation
-
Eva Longoria Shares She and Her Family Have Moved Out of the United States
-
Murder suspect stalked homeless man before killing him with ax, Seattle police say
-
State of the Union highlights and key moments from Biden's 2024 address
-
Endangered red panda among 87 live animals seized from smugglers at Thailand airport
-
New Orleans marks with parade the 64th anniversary of 4 little girls integrating city schools
-
New Orleans’ mayor says she’s not using coveted city apartment, but council orders locks changed
-
Oregon passes campaign finance reform that limits contributions to political candidates
-
New Mexico halts some oil-field lease sales in standoff over royalty rates in Permian Basin