(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — The city’s post mortem news conference on the Democratic National Convention included the Police Superintendent’s conclusion that the department has come a long way since the 1960s.
“We set out to make sure that we kept the city safe while protecting first amendment activity, and we did just that. I cannot say enough about the work that our officers did out there,” Supt. Larry Snelling speaking in the mayor’s office.
He said it’s time to shake off 1968. A lot has changed since then.
“We watched these officers go through it. We saw people yelling in their faces, yelling obscenities, and they maintained their cool throughout.
“They didn't take the bait. So as a result of it, you didn't see the activity that people expected to see.”
He said there were 74 arrests around protests and 8 or 9 complaints against police officers. He called that “amazing.” The mayor said that four people were injured during demonstrations and had to be taken to hospitals for treatment.
Snelling also said, “officers showed great restraint. We treated them like human beings.”
Mayor Brandon Johnson was also "speaking with pride" - about how the city has handled the DNC.
“If the 1968 convention went down in history as the example of police brutality, then the 2024 convention will go down as the example of constitutional policing,” Johnson said.
Johnson says he's grateful for all the city workers, police officers and others who helped make the 2024 Democratic National Convention a success.
He says the attendees seem to enjoy themselves.
“I think it's pretty clear people fell back in love with Chicago, they fell back in love with Chicago.”
He was asked if success takes the pressure off as a rookie mayor presiding over a major event.
“I don't know about the pressure being off, right? I mean, we have a school district that is still woefully underfunded. You know what I mean? Like you have to keep in mind my, my chief of staff, I think 90% of our conversations were about next week.”
The mayor says the city must keep going.
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