95th Street Businesses Prepare for NATO

As Chicago gears up for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization summit May 19 through May 21 and mass demonstrations, the is enacting its own “prepare for the worst but hope for the best” plan.

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Police Chief Bill Villanova has From now until May 20, all cars must be cleared from the garage one hour after the last scheduled Metra train arrival. Remaining cars will be towed from the garage at the owner’s expense.

Last week, police distributed letters to 95th Street businesses asking for their cooperation in securing the street in advance of potential public demonstrations. None of the summit venues are in Oak Lawn, however, police say they are “anticipating that there will be demands placed on suburban [police] departments."

Businesses are being asked to remove moveable objects outside their stores, such as signs, patio furniture, planters and anything else that can potentially become a moving projectile from May 18 through May 21.

“If it can be picked up by two people, it can be thrown through a window,” Villanova said at the last meeting.

In addition, police are also asking businesses to secure their Dumpsters with a chain and padlock during the days world leaders convene at McCormick Place. Such measures will reduce the risk of Dumpsters being rolled out into the streets, police said.

Other police recommendations include:

• Secure all signs, loose articles on sidewalks by stores. Chain Dumpsters to a permanent fixture.
• Review your business’s emergency plan. If you don’t have one, now is a good time to create one not only for NATO, but for natural disasters as well.
• Is your business planning any special events May 18 through May 21? Be aware that other parking restrictions may be put into play on village streets, depending on levels of civil unrest or even terrorist acts in Chicago.
• Make sure your business’s security cameras are operational.
• Update and have emergency contacts for employees readily available in case they need to be contacted about street closings, parking restrictions, etc.
• Research available board-up services in case of future events.
• If you haven’t done so already, register to receive FREE village emergency alerts on your phone, by text or by email.

Source: Oak Lawn Police Department

Residents and businesses can also follow developments on emergency street closings and parking restrictions by liking the Oak Lawn Emergency Management on Facebook page or follow EMA on Twitter (@oaklawnEMA).

Oak Lawn Patch will also be posting Metra and CTA transit delays, road closures and traffic reports on the O-L Patch Facebook page, and on Twitter even though we hate it (@oaklawnpatch). We invite our readers to do the same.

Survive NATO using the convenient resources of Oak Lawn Patch:

• Plan your commute with real-time Patch traffic maps.

• Like Oak Lawn Patch on Facebook.

• Like Oak Lawn Emergency Management Agency on Facebook.