Chicago's safety plan put to test as CPD preps for large Memorial Day weekend crowds

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Memorial Day weekend is here, and safety is top-of-mind as crowds flooded downtown for Saturday's parade and weekend events.

Memorial Day parade, wreath-laying ceremony

A solemn but proud tradition continued in Chicago with the annual wreath-laying ceremony at Daley Plaza.

Gold star families and representatives from each branch of the military helped lay a wreath to honor the fallen heroes.

"When the storms of life come, and they will come to the gold star families, you show us how it's done in the quiet dignity of your mourning and the courage you summon to face the days the world barely notices," retired United States Army Major General William Walker said. "If mourning marks the wound, resilience marks the healing , and Memorial Day is as much about resilience as it is about remembrance."

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Senator Dick Durbin and Mayor Brandon Johnson also attended the event in downtown.

"I hope today we can bring a little more comfort in the knowledge that the service has been provided by your loved ones," Johnson said. "We will always honor them and remember them."

Gold star families, families whose loved ones died while in uniform, along with representatives from the Army, Air Force, Space Force, Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard, helped lay a wreath during the ceremony.

A Lyons Township High School student sang "God Bless America" before taps was played.

After the ceremony, crowds packed streets for the annual Memorial Day parade.

While many take the three-day weekend to enjoy time with their families, others with loved ones who have served in the military said it means a lot to see this tradition continue.

"My son got killed in Afghanistan on September 17, 2008," Anthony Vazquez said. "I've been coming here every year for the respect that I have not only my son but all the veterans that give the ultimate sacrifice to our country."

READ MORE | Chicago Mayor Johnson, police, CFD speak on summer safety ahead of Memorial Day weekend

City's summer safety plan

CPD's 8th District held an outdoor roll call with the community in the West Lawn neighborhood on the city's Southwest Side on Friday night.

This comes ahead of what is typically a violent weekend in the city during the unofficial start of summer.

The roll call comes a day after the city unveiled its summer safety plan, which includes deploying Chicago police to neighborhoods based on needs, youth summer jobs programs and more Chicago Park District activities.

Ald. Marty Quinn, who represents the 13th Ward, and CPD both say to stay vigilant this weekend.

All of the Memorial Day preps and the summer safety plan also follows the Chicago City Council's move to delay a vote on the controversial "snap" curfew ordinance, which would give CPD's superintendent the ability to disperse crowds of teens after a 30-minute warning.

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