Wrigleyville Business Owners Concerned With Safety Amid Construction, Possible World Series
CHICAGO (CBS) -- As the Chicago Cubs inch closer to clinching the division, perhaps as soon as Wednesday, there are questions about safety, construction and traffic at Wrigley Field.
CBS 2's Roseanne Tellez says as fans are pumped, Wrigleyville expects an onslaught.
But of all times, now much of the area is torn up due to construction. And bar owners are also concerned about safety.
Whether the Cubs clinch at home or away, city officials say they're ready.
"We've been preparing over the last 18 months (be)cause we had a dress rehearsal last year," Ald. Tom Tunney says.
But unlike last year, Wrigleyville is a giant construction zone, with demolition on one corner and construction in full swing on the other, and that's had some unintended consequences -- an absence of buildings means an absence lights.
Zack Strauss, who owns Sluggers, says, "It should've been considered before demo to put up some lights so we'd feel safe in the neighborhood."
Bar owner Sam Sanchez says a couple of recent shootings in the area are rattling nerves too.
"We're concerned," he said. "We're worried about the shootings. The crowd changes at 1:30 in the morning, Saturday at 1:30 in the morning."
More than a week ago, there was a brawl near Addison and Clark streets. And around 2 a.m. this past Monday, a 25-year-old man walking along the 3400 block of North Clark St. was approached by a gunman and shot.
Tunney says safety is at the top of priorities. Many Wrigleyville businesses and residents plan to attend a CAPS meeting Wednesday night to voice concerns about recent shootings. City agencies will also be present.
Chicago police say that there will be additional plainclothesmen and uniformed officers just to keep any celebrations safe.
"We're certainly working with Homeland Security, Cubs security, CPD and the community," Tunney said.
And this year, the planning could go deep into the playoffs.
"We'll have the national exposure with a World Series .. .and we want Wrigleyville and city of Chicago to look like the city we know it to be," Strauss added.
