Chicago Police Department Tests Safety Plan in Preparation for Memorial Day Parade and Large Crowds

CHICAGO (WLS) — Memorial Day weekend is here, and with big crowds expected for Saturday’s parade and events all weekend, safety is top-of-mind.

The city’s annual Memorial Day parade steps off at State and Lake at noon.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

Barricades are already up early Saturday morning, with thousands expected downtown this weekend.

CPD’s 8th District held an outdoor roll call with the community in the West Lawn neighborhood on the city’s Southwest Side on Friday night.

This comes ahead of what is typically a violent weekend in the city during the unofficial start of summer.

The day after the city introduced its summer safety strategy, which involves assigning Chicago police to areas as needed, enhancing youth summer employment programs, and increasing Chicago Park District activities, a roll call took place.

READ MORE | Chicago Mayor Johnson, police, CFD speak on summer safety ahead of Memorial Day weekend

Ald. Marty Quinn, who represents the 13th Ward, and CPD both say to stay vigilant this weekend.

These preparations for Memorial Day and the summer safety strategy come in the wake of the Chicago City Council’s decision to postpone voting on the debated “snap” curfew ordinance. This ordinance would allow the CPD superintendent to disperse groups of teenagers following a 30-minute notice.

Before Saturday’s Memorial Day Parade, a wreath-laying ceremony is happening at 11 a.m. at Daley Plaza.