Security experts in Chicago say homemade bombs and soft targets, like Monday night’s Bears game, are the new normal, and after Sunday’s events in New York City, they are in constant contact with officials there.
The Office of Emergency Management says it is talking with law enforcement to keep soft targets across Chicago safe, including adding extra police and metal detectors to Soldier Field during the home opener game.
“I’m a season ticket holder, I go to every game,” said Bears fan Joe Hanson. “I’d rather take a little extra time getting in and be safe.”
Expersts say the pressure cooker bomb found in New York and the pipe bombs found in New Jersey appear to be taken out of Al Qaeda’s online instruction manual and are similar to those used in the 2013 Boston Marathon.
Ken Bouche, COO of Chicago-based security firm Hillard Heintze, says the events in New York are alarming.
“New York, New Jersey, just like Chicago are major cities and major targets and we always need to be on the lookout for this,” he said.
Bouch said the best advice he can give is to pay attention and report suspicious activities.
