As the NASCAR Chicago Street Race and Fourth of July celebrations draw large crowds to Downtown, Grant Park will also see an increase in the number of police officers on duty.
GRANT PARK: As officials get ready for Chicago’s first NASCAR street race this weekend, there will be more police in downtown and an additional 900 private security officers in Grant Park.
On Wednesday, NASCAR and city officials shared safety plans for this weekend’s NASCAR Chicago Street Race and Fourth of July celebrations.
Regularly, the Fourth of July draws in enormous groups Downtown for firecrackers and different occasions. This year, 100,000 people are expected to attend the NASCAR race on Saturday and Sunday, which is expected to draw even larger crowds. At 9 p.m. on Saturday, Navy Pier will present its “Independence Weekend” fireworks show.
According to the interim Police Supt., similar to previous years, Chicago police will increase patrols downtown and eliminate days off. Fred Waller stated during the Wednesday press conference.
Police will likewise give extra assets on the CTA, yet Waller didn’t indicate what that will involve.
The Chicago Local group of fire-fighters and paramedics will likewise have extra units set up in and around the NASCAR race, authorities with the organization said. NASCAR has contracted with a confidential crisis clinical benefits bunch, however the Local group of fire-fighters will take over in the event of a significant crisis, authorities said.
The NASCAR and Fourth of July occasions will happen as Chicago is battling with a portion of the most obviously terrible air quality among huge urban communities on the planet. Because of this, some people are wondering if the NASCAR Chicago Street Race ought to take place this weekend.
The Environmental Protection Agency has informed the city’s Office of Emergency Management and Communications that the situation will improve by Thursday, according to the officials.
Jose Tirado, the acting executive director of the Office of Emergency Management and Communications, stated, “If we are not in this air quality alert then we will definitely continue to have the NASCAR event as we see fit.”
According to Julie Giese, president of the Chicago Street Course, the NASCAR race and other events will continue to take place unless lightning strikes. Rain is expected to fall on Saturday.
Both races will take place on Sunday if lightening strikes on Saturday. Assuming there’s an unexpected setback Sunday, the races will be held Monday morning, Giese said.
The city’s crisis the board organization and “nearby and government accomplices” will screen the NASCAR occasion from a war room inside Award Park, authorities said. The occasion will likewise enroll the assistance of 900 confidential safety officers who are contracted for the occasion.
Officials stated that emergency resources will not be diverted from other neighborhoods, despite the increased police presence Downtown.
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