As The City Gets Ready For NASCAR Weekend, 900 Private Security Officers Are Anticipated Downtown

Award PARK — Downtown will see an expanded police presence and 900 extra confidential security officials in Award Park as authorities get ready for Chicago's most memorable NASCAR road race this end of the week.

On Wednesday, NASCAR and city officials shared safety plans for this weekend's NASCAR Chicago Street Race and Fourth of July celebrations.

Commonly, the Fourth of July draws in enormous groups Downtown for firecrackers and different occasions. This year, 100,000 people are expected to attend the NASCAR race on Saturday and Sunday, which is expected to draw even larger crowds. Naval force Dock will have its "Freedom Weekend" firecrackers show at 9 p.m. Saturday.

Like previous years, Chicago police will increment watches Downtown and days off will be dropped, in-between time Police Supt. Fred Waller stated during the Wednesday press conference.

Additional units of the Chicago Fire Department and paramedics will also be stationed in and around the NASCAR race, according to the agency's officials. NASCAR has contracted with a confidential crisis clinical benefits bunch, however the Local group of fire-fighters will take over in the event of a significant crisis, authorities said.

As Chicago struggles with some of the world's worst air quality, the NASCAR and Fourth of July events will take place. Because of this, some people are wondering if the NASCAR Chicago Street Race ought to take place this weekend.

The Environmental Protection Agency has informed the city's Office of Emergency Management and Communications that the situation will improve by Thursday, according to the officials.

"On the off chance that we are not in this air quality ready then we will keep on having the NASCAR occasion as we see fit," said Jose Tirado, acting chief overseer of the Workplace of Crisis The board and Correspondences.

According to Julie Giese, president of the Chicago Street Course, the NASCAR race and other events will continue to take place unless lightning strikes. Rain is expected to fall on Saturday.

Both races will take place on Sunday if lightening strikes on Saturday. According to Giese, the races will be held on Monday morning in the event of an additional delay on Sunday.

The city's crisis the board organization and "neighborhood and government accomplices" will screen the NASCAR occasion from a war room inside Award Park, authorities said. Additionally, the event will enlist the assistance of 900 contracted private security guards.

Officials stated that emergency resources will not be diverted from other neighborhoods, despite the increased police presence Downtown.

Subscribe to Block Club Chicago, a journalist-run independent 501(c)(3) newsroom. Our neighborhood reporting is supported by every penny we raise.