Wrigley Field Security
(( Yes, this Cardinals fan is going to post about the Cubbies. ))
A list of demands/requirements was recently made:
— Promptly notifying the Chicago Police Department of any serious injury that occurs on Cubs property. Currently, the Cubs are “responsible for making the decision about whether the incident is criminal in nature, not the police,” an arrangement City Hall wants to change.
“We have been made aware that the Cubs did not immediately report a recent death at Wrigley Field,” the letter states. That’s presumably a reference to Richard Garrity, the 42-year-old fan who died last month after a fall at the ballpark.
— “Fully funding” design and construction of a city-approved plan to widen the sidewalk along Addison along the ballpark between Sheffield and Clark by “up to four feet to facilitate the installation of security barriers” or bollards. “This process would mirror standard procedures for a property owner proposing to improve the public way."
— Developing a “comprehensive security and crowd management plan” for the new open-air plaza adjacent to Wrigley Field that has become a big attraction for Cubs fans.
— Fully integrating Wrigley Field cameras — including 30 new ones installed with a $1 million donation from the Cubs — into the city network of 29,000 public and private cameras.
— Upgrading the public safety radio communications in the on-site Joint Operations Center at Wrigley.
— Outfitting off-duty police officers who moonlight as security officers for the Cubs with “an easily recognizable shirt or uniform, so they are readily identified as security enforcement.”
All seems like reasonable stuff to me. Wonder why the City felt like they had to issue an "edict"? Have the Cubs not been responsive to earlier attempts/requests? Or is someone at City Hall gettin' a little edgy/pushy?
Here's the reaction from "Bleed Cubbie Blue":
Interesting perspective, especially considering it sounds like the Cubs have already stepped-up a slew of measures this season.
Out for now........
Matt