McCarthy Proud Of Officers' Work At Occupy Chicago Protests
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Police Supt. Garry McCarthy says he is proud of the way his officers have handled the Occupy Chicago protests still underway in the city.
As WBBM Newsradio Political Editor Craig Dellimore reports, some aldermen at the city budget hearings asked how well the Police Department will be able to handle the G8 and NATO summits scheduled in Chicago in May of next year.
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McCarthy said funding will be an issue, but he believes his officers have already shown they can handle the crowds.
He points to Occupy Chicago, where he says police have made hundreds of arrests, but treated the demonstrators with respect for their rights.
"We've received a total of two complaints – one was that an officer pulled down a mask that somebody was wearing, and one that the cuffs were placed on too tight – as a result of all the Occupy Chicago protests that have been going on for about a month now," McCarthy said.
McCarthy says protesters were given the opportunity to leave Grant Park of their own volition before they were arrested for violating the 11 p.m. Park District curfew.
Police arrested 130 people during a protest event in Grant Park over the weekend.
"We are working with the resources we have to keep this city safe and over the past three months, we have proven that we could do a great deal with what we have," McCarthy said in response.
