With temperatures expected to hit the mid-90s and large crowds anticipated, Chicago officials have detailed their safety plans for the 54th annual Pride Parade on Sunday, June 29.
“We’re expecting 94-, 95-degree weather this weekend,” said Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling during a June 26 press conference at the Center on Halsted, 3656 N. Halsted St.
“That’s always tough around the parade route. You’re talking conditions where people can become dehydrated [and] pass out,” Snelling said.
Emergency markers will be posted along the route to help first responders locate anyone in need of assistance, he added.
The police department is also coordinating with other city agencies, including the Office of Emergency Management and Communications and the Chicago Fire Department, to provide both preventative safety measures and rapid response during the event.
“It’s not just the police department, but the partnership with the other agencies who help us get to those locations quicker,” Snelling said. “If we need to call for assistance for someone who’s in need of an ambulance, we’re there to do that.”
Police will be stationed throughout the parade footprint, as well as in surrounding neighborhoods like Lakeview and Lincoln Park after the parade ends, Snelling said. In recent years, post-parade gatherings and street takeovers have drawn attention for disorderly conduct and safety concerns.
“We’re not going to tolerate people who come down after the parade to take over the streets, to engage in that reckless behavior, fight and in some cases, bring weapons,” Snelling said.
Last year, the department made 52 arrests, and it’s prepared to do the same this year, Snelling said.
“If you come down to break the law, we will hold you accountable,” Snelling said.
The department declined to say how many officers would be deployed, but noted that days off have been canceled to ensure sufficient staffing and shift rotation throughout the day.
Asked whether there are any credible threats to this year’s event, Snelling said not at this time.
“Anytime you have events of large scale, you’ll always get information about certain things,” Snelling said. “We take all of it seriously … but when we’re looking at the larger threats, at this time, no.”
The police department is coordinating with federal agencies including the Joint Terrorism Task Force “to make sure that we can stop any possible threat before it starts,” Snelling said.
Ald. Bennett Lawson (44th), whose ward covers much of the parade route, said the safety plan reflects lessons learned over the past two decades of organizing.
“We have never taken this parade for granted when it comes to safety,” Lawson said. “We have updated constantly… whether that was in Boston, or in Nice, or New Orleans. That’s always been a factor for us.”
Additional precautions include medical tents, designated pedestrian crossover points and cooling buses. City agencies will also monitor bars and local businesses to manage crowding and prevent unauthorized gatherings.
“We’ve been collaborating extensively with local businesses, bars and agencies to help manage crowds,” Lawson said. “Business Affairs will be conducting checks to ensure alcohol is being served responsibly.”