Chicago Police Department (CPD) made 26 arrests in the evening hours following the 51st annual Pride Parade on June 26, according to CPD Superintendent David Brown.
Although few incidents occurred during the parade itself, "the drunk and rowdy behavior that people engaged in after the parade was very challenging, to say the least," Brown said at a June 27 press conference.
Three people were shot during those nighttime hours, while three others were stabbed.
CWB Chicago reported that the shooting occurred at the 3100 block of North Clark Street at 1:27 a.m. A 46-year-old woman was in critical condition after being shot in the abdomen in that incident; a 30- and 37-year old man were each in good condition after gunshot wounds to the knee and leg respectively. Brown said that a person of interest had been arrested.
A 24-year-old woman is also in custody after the stabbing incident, he added.
"Multiple police officers were punched and grabbed as they tried to disperse unruly crowds," Brown noted. " … Just hours earlier people, including people with their families were out celebrating. No Chicagoan should have to think twice of their safety."
Ald. Tom Tunney (44th Ward) wrote to Brown last week he was concerned that enough police officers would not be on duty the day and evening of the parade, Block Club Chicago reported. Brown maintained at the time that there would be extraordinary police presence at the parade.
"We had more resources and police officers assigned to the parade, and they worked tirelessly, to say the least, to ensure public safety," Brown said June 27.
Richard Guidice, the executive director of City of Chicago-Office of Emergency Management & Communications, also said that authorities were on alert given the volatility of the nation's political situation, urging Chicagoans to use caution at upcoming city events. There was no threat registered against the parade, according to Brown.
"We realize, with possible threats becoming more dynamic, several high-profile events could be exploited to justify a cause," said Guidice. "Keeping this in mind we continue to monitor local and national events."
CWB Chicago's report is at cwbchicago.com/2022/06/3-shot-3-stabbed-during-chicago-pride-parade-afterparty.html . Block Club Chicago's article is at blockclubchicago.org/2022/06/23/ald-tunney-deeply-concerned-about-pride-parade-security-wants-more-officers-he-tells-top-cop/ .
