(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — In the wake of the deadly attack on a crowded New Orleans street New Year’s Day, Chicago’s leaders are examining the city’s strengths and weaknesses when it comes to public safety.
In the wake of the deadly attack on a crowded New Orleans street New Year’s Day, Chicago’s leaders are examining the city’s strengths and weaknesses when it comes to public safety.
Second Ward Alderman Brian Hopkins, who is also chairman of Chicago’s Public Safety Committee, said that crowds at the city’s largest events are well protected from vehicle incursions.
Protections include roadways blocked by salt spreaders and garbage trucks, Jersey barriers, bollards and large concrete planters along much of the traditional parade routes and public event spaces.
“You know, there's some talk about now taking those extra measures for smaller neighborhood events,” Hopkins said.
Small neighborhood events could be lacking some of the physical protection, but there may soon be a hearing in his public safety committee to explore additional crowd safety options, Hopkins says.
“So smaller neighborhood events really don't present the kind of attractive target that the terrorists look for. They want something, you know, at the level of a Boston Marathon or, you know, New Year's Eve and on Bourbon Street, you know, something that's really large where they can make that dramatic statement.”
Hopkins says it could be worth looking into the city’s police intelligence gathering function
“See if there are any improvements that could be made there. You know, that's a conversation we always have anyway.”
The Alderman says in the unlikely event that intel points to the targeting of a small event, there would be an appropriate response.
“But to park salt spreaders on the street for every neighborhood festival, it may be excessive and not necessary.”
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