Chicago police and Secret Service comb neighborhoods around DNC sites – NBC Chicago

Members of the Chicago Police Department, the U.S. Secret Service and other federal law enforcement partners on Friday combed the area around McCormick Place and the United Center, where the Democratic National Convention will be held from August 19 to 22.

“We’re really here to allay fears,” said Glen Brooks, CPD’s director of community policing. “We know there have been a lot of questions, and today we’re providing some answers.”

The main responses relate to road closures and access points for residents and business owners. Police distributed leaflets to residents with detailed information on road closures and safety zones.

Red and yellow security fencing is staked out around each DNC site. For the United Center, fencing will be erected around the fence on August 17, two days before the convention begins. The fence is bordered by Washington Boulevard to the north, Seeley to the west, Adams to the south, and then extends to Wood and Paulina Streets.

As Brooks explained, the yellow area on the map is a vehicle screening area. There is also a vehicle screening point for the United Center site in Paulina, just off West Monroe.

“Yellow means your vehicles will be checked, but you can walk there and back as usual,” Brooks said. “In the red zone, you must show identification.”

Brooks said very few people live in the red zones and that Chicago police and their partners have communicated with them on multiple occasions.

In total, the city spoke to about 1,000 Chicago residents and business owners as part of its preparations for the DNC.

Since April, U.S. intelligence has been scouting out areas likely to be affected by the rally, and the latest maps, released Thursday, show the current scope. Federal agents told NBC Chicago they wanted residents to feel as informed as possible during preparations and the rally week itself.

“And we’re here to deliver that message directly to the people who live and work in these neighborhoods,” said Joel Heffernan, deputy special agent in charge of the U.S. Secret Service’s Chicago field office.

The Henry Horner Homes, a Chicago Housing Authority building, are just blocks from the United Center. Residents said they have already met with the U.S. Secret Service twice. Resident Terrance Evans, who also sits on an advisory board, thinks he knows what to expect.

“There will be security checks for the cars entering and there will be checks under the cars and with the dogs,” he said.

On Friday, staff from the Chicago City Council’s office, along with election workers, were at the Horner Homes, ensuring residents had the opportunity to receive a CityKey ID card to help them get around more easily during convention week. They also visited the Patrick Sullivan Apartments to exclusively offer CityKeys to residents of those locations.

From the City Chancellery Office:

The Chicago CityKey is an optional, valid government-issued ID offered to all Chicago residents that allows you to take advantage of many of the great things our city has to offer. No registration or pre-qualification is required and any Chicagoan is eligible, regardless of age, insurance, income, health or immigration status. It’s a four-in-one card, serving as a valid government-issued ID, a Chicago Public Library ID, a Ventra card and a drug discount card. In addition, CityKey offers cardholders discounts at participating museums, theaters, sporting events, restaurants, retail stores and businesses throughout Chicago.

Chicago police warned that there may be restrictions on bus routes during DNC week and recommended that citizens check the city’s emergency management office app for the latest changes.

CDOT confirmed that the CTA’s new Green Line Damen station, just blocks from the United Center, is expected to open before the convention.

Police said further house occupations and public gatherings are expected to take place before the party conference.