Interim Chicago Police Supt. Fred Waller outlined safety plans on Friday afternoon for this weekend’s 52nd annual Pride Parade.
Waller and Ald. Bennett Lawson (44th) addressed reporters at Sidetrack, a gay bar on North Halsted Street.
“The Pride Parade is not only a long-standing tradition, but a great time as a city that allows us to come together and celebrate our diversity and culture,” Waller said. “We want to make sure that all members of our LGBTQ+ community feel safe and protected during this parade and every day.”
Additional officers and command posts will be at the parade — which starts at noon and runs through the Uptown, Northalsted and Lincoln Park communities. More experienced officers will work after the parade and into Sunday night, and undercover officers will be in the crowds throughout the day, Waller said.
Officers’ days off were canceled to ensure the department has enough police to monitor the parade and other activities in the city. The department’s counterterrorism unit has been monitoring for potential threats toward the parade or the LGBTQ+ community in general.
“We are constantly monitoring social media for any type of threats,” Waller said. “There’s a special focus because of the parade, so we are constantly checking.”
Brad Balof, general manager of Sidetrack, said he feels supported and protected by the Chicago Police Department ahead of the weekend’s festivities.
“I understand that in many parts of the country, people will be celebrating pride, people that own LGBTQ businesses and LGBTQ business owners will be having pride celebrations during which they might not feel supported by their local police community,” Balof said. “But I am very thankful and grateful that here in Chicago we have a very strong police force that stands behind us during these celebrations.”
Given that the Pride Parade marks the anniversary of the 1970 Stonewall riots after a police raid in New York City, Waller said CPD has made progress toward building bridges with the community.
“We’re knocking down a lot of those walls,” Waller said. “We know we have more work to do, but we are committed to building trust and partnerships with our LGBTQ+ community members.”
Sunday will be Lawson’s first Pride Parade as the ward’s alderperson. He thanked police and city officials for coordinating a safe parade.
“I want to welcome everybody that’s coming to our community this weekend and offer a great, safe and vibrant experience for everyone,” Lawson said.
