Chicago Police To Work Overtime To Stem Violence During Fourth Of July Weekend
CHICAGO (CBS) -- We're just days from the 4th of July, and with the celebrations, also come concerns about violence in Chicago, and warnings about terror threats against the United States.
CBS 2's Mai Martinez takes a look at how Chicago is preparing.
Both the Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Chicago Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy say there are no credible terror threats to Chicago.
Still, the Fourth of July holiday has historically been marred by violence in Chicago, so city leaders and community groups are teaming up to try to make this weekend safe for everyone.
"The entire department will be out," McCarthy said in a clear message to Chicagoans and criminals that the department's goal is a safe, non-violent Fourth of July weekend.
Unlike last year with at least 71 shootings and 13 people killed.
Avoiding that type of violence is top of mind as the city's public safety cabinet met this afternoon.
"We wanted to have a coordinated effort to make sure everybody is on the same page," Emanuel said.
"In general, crime, violent crime in particular is highest Friday, Saturday night from about 6 or 8 o'clock at night until about 2 to 4 o'clock in the morning," McCarthy said.
To address that, Chicago police officers will be working 12-hour tours Friday through Monday.
"We'll be out there," McCarthy said. "We'll be getting guns like we do all the time."
Adding to safety concerns this year warnings about possible terror threats against the United States.
"These kind of warnings go out routinely, but there's nothing routine about this particular one to me," said CBS News Senior Security Analyst Michael Morell, former Deputy CIA Director.
Morell says that's because about 50-people have been arrested over the past year for supporting ISIS--which has also issued a call to action by during Ramadan.
Despite no credible threat to Chicago, the city is still on alert.
"We're constantly working with the federal authorities in a coordinated fashion between local public safety and any information that they have," Emanuel said.
The Chicago Division of the FBI is also encouraging everyone to maintain awareness during the holidays.
A spokesperson says if anyone hears of any threats or sees any suspicious activity they're asked to report it to police immediately.
