Wrigley Field, Neighborhood Stepping Up Security For Cubs' Playoff Run
CHICAGO (CBS) -- As the Cubs get ready to start the postseason, preparations are underway in and around Wrigley Field to make sure fans are safe.
For only the second time in their history, the Cubs will take on the Giants in the playoffs, when the National League Division Series begins Friday night at Wrigley Field.
Cubs fans can expect plenty of security in and around the Friendly Confines when the Cubs start their playoff run.
Metal barricades were stacked up outside Wrigley Field on Thursday, in preparation for the huge crowds expected in the neighborhood on Friday and Saturday.
Meantime, garbage baskets around Wrigleyville have been removed for security reasons. It's something fans have come to expect.
"You've got to be careful with everything. I mean, you never know what's going to happen, but I'd rather they be safer than sorry," Lincoln Park resident Maxim Becker said.
Signs restricting parking also have gone up along Clark, Sheffield, Addison and other streets surrounding the stadium. Parking bans kick in Friday and will remain in place through Sunday.
If you're thinking about parking on one of the residential streets near the park, forget about it. Without the proper sticker, your car could be ticketed and towed; and if you're a homeowner caught selling your sticker for a day, you could be fined up to $1,000.
"As a resident, I appreciate it, but I imagine that as a business owner it's probably not going to be very good for the area," Wrigleyville resident Petra Slinkard said.
If you're planning on going to the game in style in a limo, taxi or ride share car, plan on doing some walking. The drop-off point is on Irving Park Road, nearly a half mile from the park.
Surprisingly, there are still some tickets available for Friday. At last check, standing room only tickets will cost you $150 a pop. Be sure to use a credit card when buying from a reputable broker. Otherwise, you could fall victim to criminals hoping to cash in on the Cubs' big season, according to the Better Business Bureau.