Chicago Police Presence Beefed Up Over Holiday Weekend
(CBS) -- Changes in procedure are increasing the number of Chicago police on patrol this Fourth of July holiday weekend.
"We have a tremendous amount of resources dedicated to protecting the city this weekend. We want to make it as safe weekend as possible," Chicago Police Department First Deputy Supt. John Escalante said.
A greater police presence was evident at Navy Pier Saturday.
Phill Burrow of Woodridge said he felt more at ease as a result. So did Carla Trevino of Lincoln Park, who was spending the day at North Avenue Beach.
Police held an outdoor rollcall, or show of force, at CPD headquarters.
In all, 5,000 of the department's 12,500 officers are deployed this weekend with a special emphasis on concerts festivals and the Navy Pier fireworks Saturday night and Monday. SWAT officers with weapons are in public places.
The police officers hitting the streets this weekend include 150 officers taken off of desk duty to walk beats.