Police Strategy Ensures Safe Celebration After Cubs' Victory
CHICAGO (CBS) -- It could have been a recipe for disaster in Wrigleyville on Tuesday night after the Cubs defeated the St. Louis Cardinals, with a massive crowd mixed with alcohol, but instead things went smoothly and there wasn't a single arrest.
CBS 2's Jim Williams takes a look at the unusual policing strategy used.
The intersection of Clark and Addison outside Wrigley Field's main gate is quiet now until the Cubs play their first home game of the National League Championship Series.
On Tuesday night in the midst of the celebration, we saw something new outside the ballpark: an open area in the middle of the Clark and Addison intersection secured by police and metal barricades.
The aim was to encourage fans to keep walking and not clog the heart of the intersection.
"We had a robust security plan that kind of isolated the fans leaving the stadium, making sure they didn't deluge onto Clark Street for a period of a couple of hours," Wrigleyville Alderman Tom Tunney said.
Pedestrian traffic was limited on Clark Street. Some bar owners told us off-camera that it hurt business.
Tunney's response: "The plan I think was in the best interest of the community, and I think the bar owners did quite well and will continue to do well."
One business, the popular Sports World store, which shares the intersection with the ballpark, was grateful for the crowd control plan.
"Police did an excellent job," Steve Chaevitz said. "I commend them highly."
Police told us there were no arrests for anything serious. Mayor Rahm Emanuel called it a good effort by all on and off the field.
"I can't be prouder of the team and what they've done I'm also proud of what the police officers did it so people could celebrate the victory and do it in a responsible way," Emanuel said.
City officials were to meet Wednesday afternoon to discuss how it all went Tuesday and tweak the plan if necessary next week when the Cubs host the NLCS.
