With the NATO and G8 summits less than four months away, questions are being raised regarding the security for the event. Though no one doubts the capabilities of the Chicago Police to handle the summits, what is questioned is how they will handle the summits and the protests associated with them, in addition to general crime and patrols in the city.
To add yet another layer to the pie, the Cubs and Sox are playing in Wrigley Field that same weekend.
To ensure that there will be enough police protection, in addition to the broad procurement powers given to Emanuel and his designees at the last City Council meeting, Chicago Police Superintendent McCarthy was given the authority to deputize aworn law enforcement personnel from outside agencies. This same ordinance also gives the Mayor and his designees the authority to indemnify these deputies.
In other words, if the deputized officers violate someone's civil rights, falsely arrest them or commit other offenses while under the city's service, the city assumes all liability -- that means lawsuits. The City Council is just now trying to settle the lawsuits from the 2003 war protest that shut down Lake Shore Drive.
Indemnification is one of the main concerns of the suburban and other police departments that may help out in May.
Today, in a phone interview, Alderman Joe Moore (D-49th) revealed that the city will indemnify officers who are deputized for the events in May. He did note that the city will not be responsible if the officer engages in police brutality or other unsanctioned behavior.
This is good news for the citizens of Chicago and the Chicago Police officers, whose limited manpower makes the day-to-day business of keeping the city safe, difficult, let alone securing two major events in the city.
While the mainstream press reported that the Chicago Chamber of Commerce is advising businesses in the Loop to hire security guards and to have board-up services on call, it would behoove the organizing committee to look past the last successful Democratic Convention we held, to the unsuccessful convention held in 1968.
The city at that time was secured by the Chicago Police, the U.S. Army and the Illinois National Guard. And yes, the businesses in the Loop stil needed board-up services.
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