Latest news with #LarrySnelling
CBS News
13 hours ago
- Climate
- CBS News
Hot forecast for Pride Parade has Chicago officials urging crowds to stay hydrated
City leaders are pleading with the public to stay cool for the second weekend in a row. A heat wave last weekend triggered warnings across the Chicago area, and with Pride Parade on Sunday, another scorching forecast is a big worry. Temperatures are expected to hit the 90s, with a heat index close to 100. Roscoe's Tavern, right in the middle of the parade route in Lakeview, will be ready. Drinks will be flowing all weekend. With the heat, that hopefully includes a lot of orders for water. The bar is reminding people on its social media pages: "stay hydrated." "Gotta remind people every year. I'd say about an hour in, at some point, we'll have someone like, 'Oh, someone's passed out somewhere, we need to get water to them,'" manager Shawn Hazen said. Wall-to-wall crowds are expected all along Halsted Street on Sunday. "You can't move. It's crazy out here," Hazen said. City leaders are also concerned about the safety of the big crowds in that heat. Police plan to have officers and medical tents stationed along the route to help in the event of an emergency. "You're talking about conditions where people can become dehydrated, pass out," Police Supt. Larry Snelling said. Snelling worries the combination of packed crowds and hot weather will put a lot of heat on first responders. So the Chicago Police Department created temporary black and white signs posted along the parade route for anyone calling into 911. "There are markers along the parade route where they can look up and they give an exact location of where they are," he said. Another concern: after-party shenanigans that turn criminal. Police arrested more than 50 people following last year's Pride Parade, recovering several guns in the process. "We've been collaborating extensively with local businesses, bars, and agencies to help manage crowds and prevent unauthorized gatherings," said Ald. Bennett Lawson (44th). The alderman, whose ward is home to the Pride Parade, thanked residents for their patience this weekend, because road closures for the parade will stay overnight in some locations. Parking is also restricted until Monday morning in several spots. Only the good kind of headaches are expected back at Roscoe's. It's one of their busiest weekends of the year. "Lots of rainbows and lots of people out to have a good time," Hazen said. Organizers estimate spectator attendance at 800,000 people for the parade.
CBS News
2 days ago
- CBS News
Chicago police emphasize safety for Pride Parade, say chaos afterward won't be tolerated
Chicago police on Thursday shared details on their security plans for this year's Pride Parade. Chicago police Supt. Larry Snelling said the top priority this year is the heat. With temperatures expected in the 90s, police plan to have officers and medical tents stationed along the route to help in the event of an emergency. "You're talking about conditions where people can become dehydrated, pass out," said Snelling. Markers will be set up along the parade route where people can look up and give coordinates for exactly where they area. "If you see something along the route — criminal activity, someone who's in need of emergency assistance, someone who's sick — please make the call. Call 911," Snelling said. "Let us know exactly where you are. We'll get someone there immediately." Another major concern is crowds and parties that spring up after the parade and go late into the night in the Northalsted and greater East Lakeview area. "The parade itself goes off well every year. It's the events that occur afterwards," said Snelling. Snelling said the kind of conduct seen in past years after the parade is not acceptable and will not be allowed. "We want to make sure that what we've seen in the past, where we have people come into the neighborhood after the party is over, and they engage in violent acts — they engage in vandalism, they engage in reckless conduct — that's not something that we're going to tolerate, all right?" Snelling said. The superintendent emphasized that the parade is supposed to be a fun and positive event. "People have the right to have peace in their communities and their neighborhoods. When you come out to a parade, you should be coming out to have fun, enjoy the festivities, see everything that's going on — and then enjoy the rest of your day peacefully," he said. "We're 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." Snelling said last year, police made 52 arrests during and after the parade. He said police will make arrests again this year if necessary. The parade steps off at 11 a.m. Sunday at West Sheridan Road and Broadway in Lakeview. Sheridan Road and Broadway intersect three different times. For clarity, the starting point at the parade is at the intersection of West Sheridan Road at 3900 North, an extension of Byron Street, and Broadway at 800 West where the road briefly merges with Halsted Street. The intersection is dominated by the relatively new Eagle Building at 3845 N. Broadway — which incorporates a row of terra cotta eagles from an earlier building at the site that was demolished.
CBS News
3 days ago
- CBS News
Funeral Wednesday for fallen Chicago police officer Krystal Rivera
A funeral will be held for fallen Chicago police Officer Krystal Rivera on Wednesday. Services will begin at noon at the Living Word Christian Center, at 7600 Roosevelt Rd. in Forest Park, Illinois. Rivera, 35, was killed on June 5 in the city's Chatham neighborhood during a tactical operation. Rivera was pursuing a suspect with her partner when investigators said he lost his footing and unintentionally shot and killed her. The two men they were pursuing are now facing charges. Police Officer Krystal Rivera #19020 End of Watch: June 5, 2025 The Chicago Police Department grieves the heartbreaking loss of Officer Rivera, a courageous and compassionate officer who devoted her career to helping others and protecting our city. We will #NeverForget. — Chicago Police (@Chicago_Police) June 6, 2025 Rivera was a four-year department veteran and a mother. Chicago Police Supt. Larry Snelling described her as vibrant and fearless, saying she showed up to work every day ready to be bold and work hard and was dedicated to protecting others. Colleagues, family, friends, and members of the public paid their respects Tuesday evening at a visitation in the city's Montclare neighborhood. and contributed to this report.
Yahoo
21-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Editorial: Mayor Brandon Johnson should not veto snap curfews
On Wednesday, Chicago's City Council passed by a vote of 27-22 an ordinance authorizing so-called 'snap curfews,' meaning that Chicago police will have the authority to get teenagers off the streets if they sense trouble is brewing. In essence, police Superintendent Larry Snelling would have the power to impose curfews in specific public areas within Chicago where large, unpermitted teen gatherings are beginning, or expected soon to form. The idea is that police officers would be able to tell those already assembled that they have 30 minutes either to go home or take a walk with just a couple of friends elsewhere. Mayor Brandon Johnson blasted the ordinance approved by a clear majority of aldermen and said he planned to issue a rare mayoral veto (the first since 2006, the Richard M. Daley era) in coming days. He should rethink that idea. We're aware of arguments against giving the police this power, especially given our long-standing interest in guarding civil liberties. We've been concerned about a couple of kids being inside a movie theater, for example, only to walk out onto the street without knowing about any curfew and then finding themselves in conflict with the police. We're also of the view that law-abiding teens must be welcomed downtown and that there is nothing illegal in gathering with friends on a warm summer's night, shooting the breeze. That's why we were against making the existing 10 p.m. curfew for Under 17s any earlier, and why we applaud Jahmal Cole, founder and CEO of 'My Block, My Hood, My City,' who is planning to bring over 1,500 teens, primarily from the South and West sides, into the business and cultural districts of downtown Chicago on July 19 for what he calls 'a day of exploration, belonging and new opportunities.' This will be the third year the nonprofit organization also known as M3 will have chaperoned an initiative powered by donors and volunteers; we hear Cole expects to have more participants than ever this year. The plan is both to make these teens feel like they belong downtown, as they should, and also to start to shift some negative perceptions among downtown business owners and workers. We hope everyone has a great time together. But there is often a tradeoff between civil liberties and crime prevention and, where minors are concerned, protection must come first. If it is handled right, this new police power might actually keep kids safer by pre-empting any trouble before it happens. And to think that there is no danger of such trouble when teens gather en masse downtown is to put your head in the sand when it comes to the lessons of recent history, especially as hot summer nights are upon us. Johnson claimed that the ordinance, introduced by Ald. Brian Hopkins (2nd), 'is counterproductive to the progress that we have made in reducing crime and violence in our city.' With all due respect, we don't see the merit of that argument. It should be seen as a tool. And let's remember that incidents of violent crime don't just affect tourists or the business district — they're usually worse for the kids caught up in any melee. No parent or grandparent wants a teen to get stuck around a group of hot-headed peers who might encourage them to do things they later have cause to regret and that impairs the progress of their promising young lives. Such scenarios typically terrify a teenager's loved ones. Perhaps most importantly here, the city's aldermen, many of whom represent the impacted families and know their communities very well, are telling the mayor loud and clear that they want this protection, not just for folks downtown but for the kids themselves. And the vote would suggest that these aldermen of the majority, such as Ald. Pat Dowell (3rd), trust Snelling to guard against any problems, which will mean using the ordinance very sparingly, offering as much advance notice as possible and focusing on de-escalation. Snelling already has said in several interviews that he will commit to that. Good. And if no snap curfew is ever needed this summer, all the better. Still, whatever his ideological misgivings or sense of being personally affronted, the mayor would be wise to listen to the City Council and add this ordinance to the police's toolbox for keeping everyone safe. Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@
Chicago Tribune
20-06-2025
- Politics
- Chicago Tribune
Editorial: Mayor Brandon Johnson should not veto snap curfews
On Wednesday, Chicago's City Council passed by a vote of 27-22 an ordinance authorizing so-called 'snap curfews,' meaning that Chicago police will have the authority to get teenagers off the streets if they sense trouble is brewing. In essence, police Superintendent Larry Snelling would have the power to impose curfews in specific public areas within Chicago where large, unpermitted teen gatherings are beginning, or expected soon to form. The idea is that police officers would be able to tell those already assembled that they have 30 minutes either to go home or take a walk with just a couple of friends elsewhere. Mayor Brandon Johnson blasted the ordinance approved by a clear majority of aldermen and said he planned to issue a rare mayoral veto (the first since 2006, the Richard M. Daley era) in coming days. He should rethink that idea. We're aware of arguments against giving the police this power, especially given our long-standing interest in guarding civil liberties. We've been concerned about a couple of kids being inside a movie theater, for example, only to walk out onto the street without knowing about any curfew and then finding themselves in conflict with the police. We're also of the view that law-abiding teens must be welcomed downtown and that there is nothing illegal in gathering with friends on a warm summer's night, shooting the breeze. That's why we were against making the existing 10 p.m. curfew for Under 17s any earlier, and why we applaud Jahmal Cole, founder and CEO of 'My Block, My Hood, My City,' who is planning to bring over 1,500 teens, primarily from the South and West sides, into the business and cultural districts of downtown Chicago on July 19 for what he calls 'a day of exploration, belonging and new opportunities.' This will be the third year the nonprofit organization also known as M3 will have chaperoned an initiative powered by donors and volunteers; we hear Cole expects to have more participants than ever this year. The plan is both to make these teens feel like they belong downtown, as they should, and also to start to shift some negative perceptions among downtown business owners and workers. We hope everyone has a great time together. But there is often a tradeoff between civil liberties and crime prevention and, where minors are concerned, protection must come first. If it is handled right, this new police power might actually keep kids safer by pre-empting any trouble before it happens. And to think that there is no danger of such trouble when teens gather en masse downtown is to put your head in the sand when it comes to the lessons of recent history, especially as hot summer nights are upon us. Johnson claimed that the ordinance, introduced by Ald. Brian Hopkins (2nd), 'is counterproductive to the progress that we have made in reducing crime and violence in our city.' With all due respect, we don't see the merit of that argument. It should be seen as a tool. And let's remember that incidents of violent crime don't just affect tourists or the business district — they're usually worse for the kids caught up in any melee. No parent or grandparent wants a teen to get stuck around a group of hot-headed peers who might encourage them to do things they later have cause to regret and that impairs the progress of their promising young lives. Such scenarios typically terrify a teenager's loved ones. Perhaps most importantly here, the city's aldermen, many of whom represent the impacted families and know their communities very well, are telling the mayor loud and clear that they this protection, not just for folks downtown but for the kids themselves. And the vote would suggest that these aldermen of the majority, such as Ald. Pat Dowell (3rd), trust Snelling to guard against any problems, which will mean using the ordinance very sparingly, offering as much advance notice as possible and focusing on de-escalation. Snelling already has said in several interviews that he will commit to that. Good. And if no snap curfew is ever needed this summer, all the better. Still, whatever his ideological misgivings or sense of being personally affronted, the mayor would be wise to listen to the City Council and add this ordinance to the police's toolbox for keeping everyone safe.
