Chicago Police Department Announces Increased Security for Pride Parade

Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson speaks about increased security measures for next weekend's Chicago Pride Parade.Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson speaks about increased security measures for next weekend's Chicago Pride Parade.

Chicago's annual Pride Parade is a time for celebrating the LGBTQ community. On Thursday, city officials and law enforcement said they want the revelry to continue this year but announced additional security measures in the wake of the mass shooting in Orlando that left 49 people dead and more than 50 injured when a gunman opened fire at a popular gay nightclub.

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“We all know that there’s a lot of focus on these events, given the horrific incident that occurred in Orlando earlier this week. I want to take this opportunity to repeat what we know and we have been saying: There is no intelligence or threat against the LGBTQ community or any event in the city of Chicago,” Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson said.

“Nevertheless, visitors can see an increased presence of uniformed Chicago police officers at these events patrolling the 19th District, surrounding neighborhoods and at the CTA transportation hubs. Additionally, CPD will have officers on bike, civilian-dressed officers throughout the event, specially trained canines and we’ll set up a joint agency information center.”

The city is always “prepared extensively” for the Pride Parade, said Richard Guidice, deputy managing director for the city of Chicago Office of Emergency Management and Communications.

This year, law enforcement has built upon its existing plan in light of Sunday's mass shooting in Orlando. Additional measures will include more police officers and private security, the opening of the emergency operations center, reducing the number of entries into the parade from 215 to 160, and increased barricades along the parade route.

While law enforcement officials stressed the importance of safety and urged attendees to report suspicious behavior to the police, Ald. Tom Tunney (44th Ward) said parade-goers should also be respectful.

“I’m asking for a week, a day of respect for each other as individuals—gay and straight, respect for law enforcement, respect for the neighborhood that has been so tolerant over the 40-some years of hosting this parade,” Tunney said. “I urge all Chicagoans and suburbanites and tourists that if we can do anything to remember the tragedy in Orlando is self-respect, respect the city, respect for law enforcement and abide by the rules to keep this successful, safe and a major tourist attraction for the city of Chicago.”

The 47th annual Chicago Pride Parade is scheduled to step off at noon on June 26 at the intersection of Montrose Avenue and Broadway in Uptown. More information, including a parade route map, is available on the event website.

Follow Kristen Thometz on Twitter: @kristenthometz


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