Posted on 10/31/2008 7:23:26 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
Chicago authorities are bracing for as many as a million people in downtown Grant Park Tuesday night to cheer on Sen. Barack Obama as election returns come in, a potential celebration and security headache.
Police in Chicago and elsewhere around the country say intense interest in the election and the possibility of large crowds in major cities are leading them to take crowd-control precautions usually seen during Super Bowls and World Series. In addition, local police will be providing security at polling stations to keep things running smoothly on Election Day.
Security preparations in Obama's hometown include orders for off-duty firefighters to haul their helmets, breathing tanks and other gear home now until after the election in case of any emergency. All Chicago officers have also had their days off canceled and are required to work Tuesday, Chicago Police Superintendent Jody Weis said.
"I'm extraordinarily confident that we can keep Senator Obama safe, that we can keep the citizens of Chicago safe and that we can keep the neighborhoods safe." He added later that, "We always prepare for the worst and hope for the best."
Other parts of the country are thinking through security as well.
In Los Angeles, police typically deploy extra squad cars at polling places on Election Day and Tuesday will be no different, said Michael Downing, the Los Angeles Police Department's deputy chief. But he added that nothing suggests "people are going to riot or conduct themselves inappropriately depending on who gets in."
In Detroit, most of the city's 3,000 or so officers will be working Election Day, said police spokesman James Tate.
"That's any presidential election," he said.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxcarolina.com ...
I have 30.06 reasons NOT to riot.
Same here. The masses have been promised their Obamessiah by the MSM...what will happen if they don’t deliver?
Scary. More so than any Halloween trick.
Yep, looks like things are going to get ugly. If the one loses than things are going to get real ugly. I will be protecting by home.
I hope the Cops get there early to ‘beat’ the crowd....
just sayin...
Might be mighty dangerous around there when Obama LOSES.
I get the feeling I’ll see Chicago burning below from my seat on my flight heading back to Milwaukee...yikes!
Win or Lose ... there is going to be rioting, and civil disobedience in downtown Chicago that night.
I have a few surprises in store for any rioters as well.
“In Detroit, most of the city’s 3,000 or so officers will be working Election Day, said police spokesman James Tate. “
Doesn’t Detroit burn itself to the ground on Halloween every year? Busy week for the cops and firemen this year
They need to change the name of Grant Park to ‘Who-ville’. Then, next Tuesday night, all the Whos down in Who-ville can go ‘Boo Hoo Hoo!’
Quick, Wisconsin, Iowa, Missouri, Tennessee, Indiana, and Michigan need to build walls. Did I forget or misspell anybody?
>>I hope I’m wrong, but I see widespread rioting, looting, civil disobedience and worse, either way.<<
Likewise.
I million downtown? Obama Supporters? That’s what is called a “riot kit”.
We’ll have our own riots to deal with here in Milwaukee
I think they are calling it Operation Mrs. O’Leary’s Cow?
I am NOT looking forward to Tuesday. As a matter of fact, I feel dread in the pit of my stomach. Either way it goes.
If McCain wins, Hallelujah for the Nation, but we will have to quell crowds and a simmer for quite a while.
If he loses, well, that is a bad thing all in itself.
“I have 30.06 reasons NOT to riot.”
Much better than only .22 reasons NOT to riot. ;)
So what are they going to do if Obama loses?
Being the optimist that I am, I am looking forward to Tuesday when John McCain and Sarah Palin WIN!
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