Jul 30, 2008 6:48 pm US/Central
Extra Security Expected At Bud Billiken Day Parade
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
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The Bud Billiken Parade is decades-old tradition on the South Side.
CBS
The Bud Billiken Day parade marks the beginning of the end of summer. More than 75,000 people take part every year. Now, police are requesting changes to the nearly 80-year-old tradition.
CBS 2's Dorothy Tucker reports the corner of 47th and King Drive is a prime spot to watch the parade and it is also a spot where one of the biggest changes will take place. This corner is the heart of the Bud Billiken Day Parade. Parade organizers and police leaders say the point is to make sure families are safe.
It is one of the largest parades in the country. Each year it attracts more than 1 million people.
In the past, parade-goers who lined up along King Drive encountered few barricades, but this year, for the first time, there will be metal barricades along the street between 47th and 51st streets.
Vendors will not have access to 55th Street and musical entertainment in Washington Park will be replaced by a children's pavilion.
"These changes are put in place to enhance the security at the parade," said Col. Eugene Scott, parade chairman.
Scott says he's taking his lead from Chicago Police who note the recent shooting near the Taste of Chicago.
"The increased violence in the community, there is concern," Scott said. "We're certainly supportive to make sure our parade does not become a part of that violence."
To ensure a safe atmosphere, Chicago Police also plan to beef up patrols at the parade.
"The helicopters will be up," said police spokesperson Monique Bond. "There are cameras that are going to be live to be able to monitor activity on the ground, but we really don't anticipate any problems."
This is not the first parade with extra security. Bond says police increased patrols at the South Side Irish Parade to crack down on public drinking.
The increased security at Bud Billiken brings mixed reaction.
"We ain't been having all that for the parade, so ain't no need to have it," a neighborhood resident said. "I ain't coming."
"I would love that because my family is gonna be out here," said another neighborhood resident. "I would love for the police to just spread out, just walk around in plain clothes, and catch those little dummies."
In the past couple of years, Sen. Barack Obama has been the grand marshal of the Bud Billiken Day Parade. The presidential candidate is not expected to attend this year. If he does show up, expect even tighter security.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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