https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/chicago-politics/barricades-installed-near-chicagos-downtown-city-cites-drill-preparations/2329022/Barricades Installed Near Chicago's Downtown as City Implements ‘Public Safety Measures'
NBCAugust 26, 2020
A Chicago alderman said there were a "variety of rumored events that may or may not happen," but noted that he "can't react to all of them"
The city of Chicago began installing barricades at multiple intersections near the downtown area on Wednesday, as city officials said a public safety drill was slated to take place on Thursday.
City employees could be seen putting large barricades up at several intersections in Streeterville and the Gold Coast, including on East Oak Street, East Walton Street and North Michigan Avenue.
Office of Emergency Management and Communications officials confirmed with NBC that a drill was scheduled for Thursday with city public safety officials, with setup taking place Wednesday.
A city official issued a statement a short time later, saying that public safety workers were installing "assets" in downtown.
"The city of Chicago is piloting public safety measures and will be temporarily staging assets throughout the downtown area," according to a statement.
Chicago Ald. Brian Hopkins of the 2nd Ward called the changes "preparations put into place that take time," noting that Jersey wall barriers were "moving around at strategic locations" and that decorative flower pots were being used as barricades, placed on curb lanes and sidewalks that could "easily be moved if we have to block a street."
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