Chicago officials take victory lap after convention

(The Center Square) – Elected officials and law enforcement leaders have proclaimed that the 2024 Democratic National Convention was a successful one for the city.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson says the 2024 DNC will go down in history as an example of constitutional policing.

“These brave women and men showed the world how we can maintain safety while protecting the people’s right to protest and to have their voices heard,” Johnson said, adding that the convention was the best the country has ever seen despite tens of thousands of protesters descending on the city.

U.S. Secret Service Deputy Special Agent in Charge of the Chicago Field Office Derek Mayer thanked Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling.

“I’ve been in law enforcement 24 years. I’ve traveled the world, and I’ve lived in cities all over the country. I’ve never seen anyone better than you,” Mayer told Snelling.

Chicago anticipated as many as 100,000 protesters would arrive during the DNC, and there were legitimate concerns that some of the protests could break into violence based on incidents in recent months around the country.

Snelling said there were 74 protest-related arrests during the convention and some limited violence. A Texas delegate also was robbed at gunpoint this week. The robbery took place at 2 a.m. Wednesday outside the Allegro Royal Sonesta Hotel.

Chicago’s police superintendent said detractors would not break down the great work by his officers during the convention.

Snelling answered reporters who asked about traffic stops and about a shooting at Guaranteed Rate Field that happened a year ago.

“We can continue to talk about the past. We can continue to throw stones. But right now, I’m living in the glow of the work that these police officers did,” Snelling said.

Snelling said his men and women stood strong.

“They protected this city and they’re going to continue to do it. And there’s not a traffic stop in the world that’s going to change that,” Snelling stated.

Chicago Fire Commissioner Annette Nance-Holt was also present at Friday’s press conference.

Officials did not address reports of overcrowding at the United Center Thursday night, which prevented some delegates from entering the arena on the final night of the convention. Others were not able to return to their seats after using the bathroom.

The Fire Department had tweeted Thursday night that it was restricting access because the United Center was at capacity, and that the department and the DNC were monitoring the situation.