Evanston To Set Off Emergency Sirens If Cubs Win World Series
CHICAGO (CBS) -- In 1959, when the White Sox won the American League pennant, Chicago Fire Commissioner Robert Quinn had the city's air raid sirens sound in celebration, triggering fear by some Chicagoans amid the Cold War.
Now, the suburb of Evanston plans a similar celebration, should the Cubs win the World Series on Wednesday. If the Cubs win Game 7, Evanston city manager Wally Bobkiewicz said residents can expect to hear emergency sirens blast for 90 seconds in celebration.
"We certainly don't want to scare people," he said. "We don't want to upset people. Really, this is potentially a once-in-a-lifetime joyous occasion."
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Bobkiewicz said this is only being done for the Cubs because the team has gone 108 seasons between championships.
"The longevity here is really key. It's certainly not something we'll do with the Blackhawks or the Bulls or the White Sox or the Bears," he said. "The city of Evanston was incorporated in 1863, so municipal government was here the last time this happened, but I don't believe they used the sirens in 1908."
Bobkiewicz said setting off the sirens was "absolutely not" done for the White Sox when the Sox won the World Series in 2005 (even though that championship ended an 88-year drought for the Sox).
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Evanston is getting out the word about the possible siren blast via posters, social media and the news media.
"We don't want to unduly alarm anyone, but certainly this is a momentous occasion, and should it happen tonight, I think in Evanston we want to celebrate it properly," he said.
Bobkiewicz said he'll plan something special for police dispatchers who might receive more than a few calls from residents asking why the sirens are sounding. Normally, the sirens are used when there's a snow emergency in Evanston.
