Jun 26, 2008 7:29 pm US/Central
City Has New Safety Tools For Taste Of Chicago
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
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Crews set up tents on June 23, 2008, in preparation for the annual Taste of Chicago.
CBS
While you are having fun at the Taste of Chicago this year, the city will be working. Chicago has a new plan to keep everyone safe in a variety of ways. CBS 2's Suzanne Le Mignot reports that this year, authorities have some new tools to keep a better eye on the crowd.
Millions of people are expected to attend Taste of Chicago, which opens Friday. When you're out there with the crowds, you're used to seeing mounted patrols and officers in uniform. But this year, officials said it's what you won't see that will be making a difference.
Cameras controlled by the click of a mouse that can follow your every move, in real time; cirect connection by satellite to the city of Chicago's 911 center; those are just some of the features on board the Office of Emergency Management and Communications' new satellite truck.
OEMC Acting Director Jim Argiropoulos said, "during an emergency, of course, time is critical." The technology in the satellite truck is new to the city and is being tested for the first time at the 2008 Taste of Chicago.
There's also an OEMC command post on site. It's an extension of the satellite truck where various city agencies can work together in the event of an emergency.
Deputy Police Chief Jim Keating said, "that command post is going to allow us to view cameras, to talk with our counterparts in other law enforcement agencies, the city, fire (department) and OEMC."
About six million people were expected to indulge at the Taste this year. With that in mind, food safety is also a top priority.
Dr. Terry mason, commissioner of the Chicago Department of Public Health, said, "The Taste of Chicago is the most highly regulated, tightly scrutinized event in the city, perhaps even in the nation."
Mason said food inspections will take place at booths four times a day to ensure the public's safety. Last year, Pars Cove Restaurant was at the center of a food borne illness incident, the first to happen at the Taste.
"One case of illness is one case too many, but the fact remains that no other major outdoor food event in the nation has a better track record of safety than this one," Mason said. He also said that he can't stress enough the importance of taking precautions in the extreme heat, like wearing lightweight, comfortable clothing and sun block and drinking lots of water.
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