White Sox To Honor Chicago Police For NATO Performance
UPDATED 05/23/12 5:32 a.m.
CHICAGO (CBS) The Crosstown Classic went off without a hitch this past weekend – even with the NATO Summit – and now, the White Sox want to say thank you to Chicago Police officers.
As CBS 2's Susanna Song reports, the White Sox will pay a special tribute to the Chicago Police Department at the at the game Wednesday night against the Minnesota Twins, recognizing their hard work during the NATO Summit.
"Mayor Emanuel asked the White Sox organization to join the city of Chicago in honoring the men and women of the Chicago Police Department who represent the most dedicated and finest of our great city, and we are proud to recognize their service," White Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf said in a statement. "The White Sox thank these true Chicago heroes who served our city during the NATO Summit."
In addition, sworn members of the Chicago Police Department will also be offered two complimentary tickets to one of 10 select White Sox games this season.
"Chicago Police officers have demonstrated supreme dedication, professionalism and training," Mayor Rahm Emanuel said. "This is an incredible gesture by the White Sox to honor the commitment of our men and women in uniform, and I extend my most sincere gratitude to this tremendous Chicago organization."
Overall, the Police Department has won high marks for its job over the weekend, protecting the rights of protesters as well as property in Chicago.
One way they were able to accomplish the task was through intelligence from undercover officers who were in the crowd.
The information was relayed over newly-purchased radios and headsets.
Deputy Chief Steve Georgas wrote the plan. It was also his idea to flood the area with bicycles, and to use street level cameras and helicopters to follow the marches.
"In my 20 years in the job, this is the proudest I've ever been to see those officers in the blue shirts accomplish what they accomplished out there," Georgas told CBS 2 Chief Correspondent Jay Levine.
Georgas also said the plan was executed nearly flawlessly over the weekend.
The Cubs also plan to announce Wednesday how they will recognize Chicago Police officers. They say they will offer officers something special for everything they did.
