Officials unveil Chicago's DNC security perimeters
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Image: Courtesy of the Chicago Office of Emergency Management and Communications
The Secret Service has released maps of planned security perimeters around the United Center and McCormick Place during next month's Democratic National Convention.
Why it matters: The restrictions, which will apply to pedestrians, vehicles and bikes, will effectively lock down four square blocks of the West Loop and Near South Side for more than a week.
Driving the news: United Center boundaries stretch from Hoyne Avenue to Paulina Street and Washington to Jackson boulevards from 7pm Aug. 17 until the morning of Aug. 23.
- McCormick Place boundaries will reach from Michigan to Calumet avenues and from 21st to 24th streets from 10pm Aug. 16 until the "conclusion of events," officials said at a press conference Thursday.
How it works: There will be "inner" and "outer" perimeter zones at both sites.
- In the outer perimeters, vehicles will be "briefly screened by law enforcement," but "pedestrians are allowed to freely move about, just as they would on any normal day," Secret Service coordinator Jeff Burnside said.
- Inner perimeters of about three square blocks, however, will be fenced off and restricted to credentialed individuals, including staff, delegates, speakers and journalists.
Zoom in: "Rideshares, taxis and hot food delivery will be [allowed] in the vehicle screening perimeter," Burnside said, warning that the screening could cause delays.
- Personal bikes will not be subject to screening to enter, he added.
- The security perimeter includes the Henry Horner Homes on the near West Side, but residents will retain access to those buildings, Burnside said.
The intrigue: Though some thought the United Center perimeter would affect protest routes, the zone actually falls about two blocks west of Union Park, where the city wants the march to begin and end.
- Organizers of that protest, however, are pushing for a larger route to accommodate the tens of thousands of protesters they're expecting.
The big picture: The Department of Homeland Security and the Secret Service have been working with Chicago police, the Office of Emergency Management and Communications, and local businesses and residents for months on the plan.
- Officials stressed Thursday they want to see a "safe and successful" DNC; still, an FBI official reminded the public that we are "living in an elevated threat environment."
- Law enforcement repeatedly implored Chicago citizens, "If you see something, say something," by calling 911.
What's next: City officials say they will be offering updates on security throughout the coming weeks.
- They will also hand out maps of the perimeter Thursday around the United Center.