Ramping Up Security Measures for Big 10 Hockey Series at Wrigley Field
Heightened Sense of Vigilance
Chicago police are increasing security efforts for the upcoming Big 10 Hockey Series at Wrigley Field, a move that has been met with a heightened sense of vigilance among officers. According to Ald. Brian Hopkins (2nd Ward), chairman of the Public Safety Committee, "There is a heightened sense of vigilance. You can tell when you talk to police officers."
Experience in Hosting Large Events
Chicago is no stranger to hosting large-scale events, including Lollapalooza, the Winter Classic, and the Democratic National Convention. "In fact, other cities call Chicago for advice on how to properly handle large events and how to keep people safe," Hopkins said. "We were the first city to pioneer salt spreaders as mobile barricades, so we have a lot of experience here in Chicago."
Vehicle Barriers
For the Big 10 Hockey Series, vehicle barriers are being put in place. According to Hopkins, the city has 170 of them and is looking to purchase more. "They are heavy duty. They are designed to prevent a vehicle going as fast as 60 miles an hour. When they hit that, the vehicle comes off the ground and it disables them."
Visitor Reactions
Visitors have expressed feelings of safety with the heavy police presence around them. "I mean, you pay attention to what’s going on around you, but we’re not going to let it stop what we’re doing. We’re here to have fun. Go Blue!" said David Mellett, who will be attending the games.
Lessons Learned
According to Hopkins, a lot of lessons in public safety were learned during the NATO Summit in 2012. The city continues to evaluate areas for improvement. "Everyone is a little tense with what just happened, but I feel very safe here today," Hopkins said. "I’m going to enjoy the game, probably no safer place in Chicago right now with all the resources we have here."
Next Steps
Hopkins said the Public Safety Committee will be discussing criteria for placing vehicle barriers during public gatherings. He expects that discussion to happen in the coming weeks.
Conclusion
Chicago’s experience in hosting large-scale events has prepared the city to take extra measures to ensure public safety. The installation of vehicle barriers and increased police presence have created a sense of security among visitors. As the city continues to evaluate and improve its public safety measures, residents and visitors alike can feel confident in the city’s ability to keep them safe.
FAQs
- What is being done to ensure public safety during the Big 10 Hockey Series?
The city is installing vehicle barriers and increasing police presence. - How many vehicle barriers are being used?
The city has 170 vehicle barriers and is looking to purchase more. - What was learned from past large-scale events?
The city learned valuable lessons in public safety from events like the NATO Summit in 2012 and continues to evaluate areas for improvement.
