Downtown alder gives DNC mix review, pleased with policing

(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — A downtown alderman is giving mixed reviews for this week’s DNC, including high marks for policing but a critique of logistics.

Alderman Brian Hopkins (2nd Ward) says shuttles from convention hotels to the United Center suffered from the same bunching problem that affects many CTA buses - especially on Monday night.

He said many delegates and guests decided to use Ubers and Lyfts after waiting hours on the buses the first night, but that overwhelmed the rideshare system.

Hopkins speaks from experience. He was a transportation coordinator during the 1996 DNC here.

The democrat credits police and federal law enforcement with de-escalating conflicts with protesters, many who he says wanted to start a riot.

“The worst case scenarios that were predicted in some circles and certainly prepared for never came to fruition, not even close.”

Hopkins acknowledges minor criminal activity – including skirmishes and some people putting what turned out to be mealworms into a delegation breakfast buffet – but says police did an “outstanding job.”

Another logistical issue he highlighted was organizers gave out more credentials than the United Center had space for, which left some people stuck outside the final night.

“Rumors of Beyoncé, you know, might have fueled part of that. It seemed like everyone who had a credential was trying to get in the United Center and there were just not the accommodations for everyone.”

In the end, Hopkins calls the event an “absolute success” and hopes it restores some of the city’s good reputation that it has lost in recent years.

After the 1996 convention, he says the city saw a jump in international tourism for the next three years.

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