Chicago to deploy additional officers on New Year's Eve

CHICAGO - About 1,300 additional Chicago police officers are expected to be spread across the city on New Year’s Eve.

The majority of the extra officers will be in uniform to increase visibility, patrol bureau chief Fred Waller said Monday.

Crowds are expected to gather downtown for festivities which include fireworks displays. Plainclothes officers also will mingle discreetly with the crowds. A team of 300 officers will be deployed specifically for one fireworks display along the Chicago River. A second team of officers will monitor a fireworks show at Navy Pier.

“Many of these officers have had their days off canceled to work on this important night,” Waller said. “Officers from every district and every division will be pitching in this year.”

State police patrols on freeways also will be increased.

Chicago’s downtown Riverwalk will close at 10 p.m. Tuesday. Some streets and bridges near the river also will be closed.

“We are anticipating large crowds and significant traffic impacts in the downtown area,” said Rich Guidice, executive director of Chicago’s Office of Emergency Management and Communications.