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Fearing Pride Parade Mayhem, Lakeview Businesses Hire Private Security

By Ariel Cheung | May 21, 2015 6:00am
 The Northalsted Business Alliance hired private security officers for summer weekends and outdoor events.
The Northalsted Business Alliance hired private security officers for summer weekends and outdoor events.
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LAKEVIEW — While neighbors anxiously await news of how city officials will curtail Pride Parade mayhem, one business organization is taking matters into its own hands.

As part of the Northalsted Business Alliance's Keep Pride Proud initiative, business owners along North Halsted Street have hired private security officers to patrol the neighborhood during weekends and outdoor events.

"Our effort to offer a fun and safe environment for all is paramount to our proactive approach regarding safety. For the past couple of years, we've been able to achieve a cooperative effort between our private security detail and the 19th District that serves the community well," said alliance board member David Sikora of Progress Bar.

Six private security officers will patrol North Halsted from Belmont Avenue to Irving Park Road on Friday and Saturday nights, spokeswoman Jen Gordon said. During holiday weekends and events — specifically Pride Fest, Pride Parade and Northalsted Market Days — 10 to 14 officers will be on duty.

The security officers will have the ability to detain troublemakers while they work with Chicago Police to deal with a situation. The security firm will also provide a weekly report of all activity, so the Northalsted Business Alliance can monitor ongoing trends, Gordon said.

This is the fourth year the alliance has provided the service.

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