CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — The Chicago Police Department is gearing up for New Year’s Eve celebrations with an eye toward deterring bad behavior and keeping everyone safe.
CPD Deputy Chief Jon Hein said there will be more officers working, though he avoided getting into the specific details and instead said it would be an “adequate number of officers” spread across downtown, in the neighborhoods and on the Chicago Transit Authority.
“We ask everyone to please ensure that you have a safe night, and if you’re going to celebrate, to do that responsibly and to make sure that you have a designated driver if need be,” he said.
“You can also take advantage of the CTA’s free ride program from 10 p.m. New Year’s Eve to 4 a.m. New Year’s Day.”
Hein added that Violence Interrupters will be deployed downtown and throughout the city. Their role will be to “engage with members of our public … especially including our youth.”
Some officers have had days off canceled. That’s something the department has backed off on since Supt. Larry Snelling took over earlier this year.
The city’s celebrations, which are expected to draw large crowds, include fireworks at Navy Pier and along the Chicago River downtown.
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