Chicago

Security in Place for Chicago's Fourth of July Festivities, Officials Say

More than 1,500 officers have been added to patrols across Chicago for the Fourth of July, one of many safety measures in place for the holiday, city officials say.

A heavier presence of officers will be stationed "in and around major transit hubs and thoroughfares," CPD spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said in a statement.

At least 100 officers will be patrolling parks and the lakefront, authorities said, and several traffic safety initiatives were also planned for Lake Shore Drive.

Over the past weekend, nearly 50 new high-definition security cameras were installed at Chicago Transit Authority stations, according to CTA and police.

CPD officers will monitor those cameras - located at the Clark/Division, Chicago/State and Grand/State stations - live throughout the holiday and the weekend, officials said.

CPD's increase presence and new initiatives, in partnership with state and federal agencies, are an effort to curb the violence the summer holiday typically brings to the city.

More than 100 people were shot across Chicago over Fourth of July weekend in 2017, leaving at least 14 dead in one of the bloodiest weekends in years.

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