City Getting Ready For Big Cubs Crowds For Game 7 Of World Series
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Win or lose, Chicago police said they're prepared for crowds in Wrigleyville during the decisive Game 7 of the World Series on Wednesday night, when crowds of Cubs fans are almost certain to be the biggest we've seen yet.
Hundreds of uniformed and undercover police officers were expected to be deployed on Wrigleyville streets to monitor the crowds at bars and neighborhood parties.
The Office of Emergency Management and Communications will keep an eye on the whole city via its emergency operations center.
"We ask everybody to please enjoy and behave appropriately but we'll have plenty of resources to handle situations that dictate it," Police Deputy Chief Steve Georgas said.
Crowds for Wrigleyville bars started lining up before dawn while the Cubs were playing at home for Games 3, 4, and 5 this past weekend. Some places charged a cover of up to $250, though it wasn't clear if bars would be jacking up entrance fees for Game 7.
Police have reported no major problems with fans so far, save the occasional pole climbing or barricade pushing.
Parking restrictions during the World Series have extended as far as the River North neighborhood, with stretches of Hubbard and Kinzie streets out of play for the game.
No parking is allowed on the following streets through 4 a.m. on Friday:
• Clark from Aldine to Irving Park
• Sheffield from Grace to Roscoe
• Addison from Halsted to Southport
• Racine from Clark to Roscoe
• Irving Park from Clark to Seminary
• Eddy from Clark to Racine
• Cornelia from Clark to Racine
• Newport from Clark to Racine
• Patterson from Clark to Racine
• Clifton from Waveland to Grace
• Seminary from Waveland to Grace
• Kenmore from Waveland to Grace
• Seminary from Newport to Eddy
• Cornelia from Wilton to Sheffield
• Grace from Wilton to Clark
• Waveland from Wilton to Racine
Parking restrictions also are in effect from 5 p.m. Wednesday to 6 a.m. Thursday on the following streets:
• Webster: Sheffield-Bissell
• Lincoln: Webster-Fullerton
• Division: State-Dearborn
• Hubbard: State-LaSalle
• Wells: North Avenue - Division
• Kinzie: State-Clark
