In the midst of the final stages of preparations for the 54th annual Chicago Pride Parade, which will take place this coming weekend, the Chicago Police Department is preparing for the tremendous crowds that are expected to attend the iconic event.
The Chief of Police of the Chicago Police Department, Larry Snelling, stated that the safety of everyone along this route is the first priority for the department.
The heads of the Chicago Police force have stated that their force is prepared to host one of the largest pride celebrations in the country.
“Not only are we going to have sufficient resources along the parade route, but we are also going to have sufficient resources after the parade is over in Lakeview and Lincoln Park,” we stated.
There are anticipated to be hundreds of thousands of people lining the parade route, according to the city. The department is not just concerned about the parade itself, but also about the parties and gatherings that take place after the march has ended.
“We are not going to tolerate people who come down after the parade to take over the streets to engage in that reckless behavior, fight, and in some cases bring weapons,” he warned. “We are not going to tolerate it.” “In the previous year, we totaled 52 arrests.”
the Chicago Police Department is collaborating with state and federal agencies to ensure that everyone is safe. Over the course of this weekend, the superintendent informed the police that their days off have been canceled. On Thursday, technicians from OEMC were out and about unloading obstacles in preparation for the major procession.
There is also the possibility of scorching temperatures on Sunday, with highs hovering around the middle of the 90s.
According to the 44th Ward Ald. Bennett Lawson, “Additional safety efforts include the closure of streets early on Sunday morning, the provision of cooling buses for parade attendees, the placement of medical tents along the route, and the establishment of designated crossover points for the safe movement of crowds.”
The route of the procession, which is two miles long and passes through Halsted, Belmont, Broadway, and Diversey, is depicted on a map that is provided. Businesses who are located along the parade route are expecting to make a profit off of the participants.
Zack Piersiala, the manager of Beatnix, stated that “Huge time to cash in you know.” He went on to say that “on a regular weekend we’ll do roughly about $12,000—the day of the parade it’s going to be about $35,000.”
Long-time organizers never envisioned the impact and growth of the parade, which will feature over 150 colorful floats, entertainment, and performances. The procession will also feature over 150 performers. On top of that, more than two hundred people have volunteered their time to assist with the event.
To tell you the truth, the parade, in spite of the political context, is the key to it right there. The one thing that I have always felt about the parade is that it is a very cheerful thing. The co-coordinator of the Chicago Pride Parade, Tim Frye, stated that it is in fact the case.
