9-1-1 Calls Reveal Crowd Concerns At North Ave. Beach
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Questions persist about why North Avenue Beach was really closed on Memorial Day.
Police have insisted it was because of the heat, and not gang violence. But now, 9-1-1 calls made that day seems to suggest concerns about the crowds.
LISTEN: Newsradio 780's Michele Fiore reports
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"We need police at the outer drive at North Avenue. There's three lanes of traffic at the Outer Drive that are stopped, for miles," one woman says.
The dispatcher asks: "Do you know what's going on there?"
"Yea, it's North Avenue. It's Oak Street Beach … and it's summer time. That's what's going on," the caller responds.
Another caller describes her concern for those leaving the beach: "There's thousands of people on that beach, and when they all come out of there, it's gonna be a nightmare."
Sources tell CBS 2 that North Avenue Beach was closed because of fights at Oak Street Beach. The two are connected by direct access.
Police say heat-related illness was the reason.
