The Chicago Police Department is unveiling a series of initiatives aimed at keeping area residents safe over the Memorial Day holiday weekend.
On Saturday morning, Deputy Chief Dan O’Shea and a trio of Chicago police commanders addressed the media, unveiling more information about the city’s “traffic enforcement mission.”
City officials announced several safety initiatives for the Memorial Day weekend, including DUI strike force missions in every police district in the city. Chicago police will also look to crack down on speeding on Lake Shore Drive, where officials have reported 680 crashes so far this year.
Officers will also be issuing seat belt violation tickets, and will look to crack down on drag racing across the city.
On Friday, the city launched its first ever Summer Operations Center mission, aiming to conduct service blitzes in neighborhoods to cut down on gun violence and to prevent large gatherings amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
“Even as we face an unprecedented public health crisis, our first responders, city workers and street outreach partners from across Chicago are coming together in an all-hands-on-deck effort to keep residents safe this weekend and throughout the summer,” Mayor Lori Lightfoot said. “While I encourage all residents to celebrate the holiday, it remains imperative that we do so by staying inside and social distancing so we can continue to save lives and keep our fellow neighbors safe and healthy.”
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The city’s lakefront and adjacent parks will remain closed, but other parks will be open for residents to enjoy during the holiday.
