The striking Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) is in day 10 of a work stoppage and will be engaging in various demonstration activity on Wednesday, October 30. 

A large demonstration and march is expected at 12:00 pm at Roosevelt and Clark.  

Preliminary information indicates that the following activities are planned for today related to the CTU strike:

• School Pickets Citywide; 6:30 am to 10:30am 
• SW Schools Community  March (6700 S. Kedzie); 10:30 am 
• Little Village March at Enlace Chicago (2600 S Kostner) 9:00 am 
• Large Rally and March at Roosevelt and Clark; 12:00 pm

Consider the following when preparing for civil unrest or protest activity:

• Set, review and practice emergency lockdown procedures
  • If a demonstration forms outside your building be prepared to quickly lockdown the building, only allowing access to tenants
  • Establish a system or process to notify tenants of protest or building lockdown activity
  • Program your access control system to lock all exterior doors upon demand
  • Practice lockdown procedures including securing the perimeter with security officers or building staff and designating a point of ingress away from the demonstration for tenants to use
• Establish communication with local law enforcement
  • If protests are violent or taking place on private property contact law enforcement immediately
  • Maintain regular communication with law enforcement throughout the incident
• Remain peaceful and calm, do not provoke or become violent, attempt to defuse and resolve the situation

As always, if you “See Something, Say Something”. For life-threatening emergencies, call 911. To report suspicious activity, call 855-RPRT-2-S4  (855-777-8274).

The striking Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) are conducting various demonstration activity in the Central Business District on Monday, October 28, which also coincides with a Presidential visit expected to draw protest activity and road closures. Cermak will be closed to all vehicular traffic intermittently on Monday between Indiana and Prairie due to the arrival of POTUS.

The following CTU activity is expected:

• 9:30 am Youth led march from 719 S. State to City Hall  followed by a sit-in
• 10:45 am: Gathering at Michigan and Adams followed by a march to Wacker and Wabash for an 11:30 am arrival and protest.
• 11:30 am  Protest at Wacker and Wabash
• 5:00 pm: Additional groups meeting at Wacker and Wabash

An additional protest with a non-specific time is expected at Trump Tower due to the CTU Website posting, that President Trump will be in town and if any members were inclined to show up outside his fundraiser wearing red, it would qualify as productive.

Continued activity should be expected around City Hall, the Thompson Center, Trump Tower and numerous other locations in the downtown area. Street closures should be expected. 

Consider the following when preparing for civil unrest or protest activity:

• Set, review and practice emergency lockdown procedures
  • If a demonstration forms outside your building be prepared to quickly lockdown the building, only allowing access to tenants
  • Establish a system or process to notify tenants of protest or building lockdown activity
  • Program your access control system to lock all exterior doors upon demand
  • Practice lockdown procedures including securing the perimeter with security officers or building staff and designating a point of ingress away from the demonstration for tenants to use
• Establish communication with local law enforcement
  • If protests are violent or taking place on private property contact law enforcement immediately
  • Maintain regular communication with law enforcement throughout the incident
• Remain peaceful and calm, do not provoke or become violent, attempt to defuse and resolve the situation

As always, if you “See Something, Say Something”. For life-threatening emergencies, call 911. To report suspicious activity, call 855-RPRT-2-S4  (855-777-8274).

The striking Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) are Circling City Hall. The following street closures are in effect around City Hall: LaSalle between Lake & Washington, Washington from LaSalle to Dearborn, Randolph from Dearborn to LaSalle, Clark from Lake to Washington. 

A large rally is expected to begin at the conclusion of the Mayor’s Budget address at approximately 11:00 am. This rally is expected to take place at the Thompson Center but due to the size is likely to also impact the area around City Hall and Daley Plaza.

Continued activity should be expected around City Hall and numerous other locations in the downtown area. Street closures should be expected.  

This specific protest activity is related to the current Chicago Public Schools strike. Please notify your building teams and be on alert as this protest is taking place.

Consider the following when preparing for civil unrest or protest activity:

• Set, review and practice emergency lockdown procedures
  • If a demonstration forms outside your building be prepared to quickly lockdown the building, only allowing access to tenants
  • Establish a system or process to notify tenants of protest or building lockdown activity
  • Program your access control system to lock all exterior doors upon demand
  • Practice lockdown procedures including securing the perimeter with security officers or building staff and designating a point of ingress away from the demonstration for tenants to use
• Establish communication with local law enforcement
  • If protests are violent or taking place on private property contact law enforcement immediately
  • Maintain regular communication with law enforcement throughout the incident
• Remain peaceful and calm, do not provoke or become violent, attempt to defuse and resolve the situation

As always, if you “See Something, Say Something”. For life-threatening emergencies, call 911. To report suspicious activity, call 855-RPRT-2-S4  (855-777-8274).

The striking Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) is marching from Union Park to Jackson Avenue where they are expected to be joined by several hundred members of SEIU.  The march is then anticipated to progress to McDonalds Corporate Headquarters at Randolph and Carpenter where the march will disband. 

This specific protest activity is related to the current Chicago Public Schools strike. Please notify your building teams and be on alert as this protest is taking place.

Consider the following when preparing for civil unrest or protest activity:

• Set, review and practice emergency lockdown procedures
  • If a demonstration forms outside your building be prepared to quickly lockdown the building, only allowing access to tenants
  • Establish a system or process to notify tenants of protest or building lockdown activity
  • Program your access control system to lock all exterior doors upon demand
  • Practice lockdown procedures including securing the perimeter with security officers or building staff and designating a point of ingress away from the demonstration for tenants to use
• Establish communication with local law enforcement
  • If protests are violent or taking place on private property contact law enforcement immediately
  • Maintain regular communication with law enforcement throughout the incident
• Remain peaceful and calm, do not provoke or become violent, attempt to defuse and resolve the situation

As always, if you “See Something, Say Something”. For life-threatening emergencies, call 911. To report suspicious activity, call 855-RPRT-2-S4  (855-777-8274).

The Daley Plaza rally by striking Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) will be followed by a march that is expected to step off at approximately 2:30 pm depending on the completion of speakers at the rally. 

Anticipated Step Off at 2:30 with the same crowd size as yesterday   

• The group will gather at Daley Plaza. 
• Head north on Clark to Randolph. 
• West on Randolph to LaSalle. 
• South on LaSalle to Washington 
• East on Washington to Dearborn 
• North on Dearborn to Kinzie 
• West on Kinze to Clark 
• South on Clark to Daley Plaza and disperse   

Past labor union demonstrations have also attracted protest activity from other organizations.  There is likely to be continued demonstration activity in the Central Business District during day and evening hours for the duration of the strike.  Certain areas, such as CPS Headquarters, City Hall, Daley Plaza and large corporate headquarters have been frequent sites for past demonstrations.  

Consider the following when preparing for civil unrest or protest activity:

• Set, review and practice emergency lockdown procedures
  • If a demonstration forms outside your building be prepared to quickly lockdown the building, only allowing access to tenants
  • Establish a system or process to notify tenants of protest or building lockdown activity
  • Program your access control system to lock all exterior doors upon demand
  • Practice lockdown procedures including securing the perimeter with security officers or building staff and designating a point of ingress away from the demonstration for tenants to use
• Establish communication with local law enforcement
  • If protests are violent or taking place on private property contact law enforcement immediately
  • Maintain regular communication with law enforcement throughout the incident
• Remain peaceful and calm, do not provoke or become violent, attempt to defuse and resolve the situation

As always, if you “See Something, Say Something”. For life-threatening emergencies, call 911. To report suspicious activity, call 855-RPRT-2-S4  (855-777-8274).

If you have any questions or concerns regarding extra security coverage, how to prepare or train for civil unrest or protest activity, please contact your Titan representative. Also, please notify your building teams and be on alert as more protests may occur throughout these negotiations.

Below is a summary of what was discussed at today’s BOMA/Chicago Preparedness Committee Meeting on October 15, 2019, hosted by the Willis Tower. The meeting included a wide range of attendees including members of the Chicago Fire Department, Chicago Police Department, Chicago Office of Emergency Management and Communications, Chicago Police Department – Crime Prevention Information Center and other government agencies.

Meeting Presentations

• Brandi Srda from Willis security gave a presentation on the current construction projects taking place at the Willis Tower
• Bill Walker from 444 W Lake gave a presentation regarding a recent tenant shooting near the property

BOMA/Chicago Table Top will Replace November Meeting

• The table top will focus on Mental Health Awareness
• NAMI trainers will lead the tabletop with mental health awareness training
• Session will feature two or more scenarios

Chicago Police Department Update

• There have been multiple scheduled special events in recent weeks
• Protest activity is increasing overall
• Potential Chicago Teacher Union strike could include approximately 30-35,000 marchers

Chicago Police Department, Crime Prevention Information Center Unit (CPIC)

• Text to Tip (TXT2TIP) has become available for use
  • TXT2TIP allows the public to send tips (including pictures, video, or audio) via text message about criminal activity to the CPD from any cell phone
  • Cook County Crime Stoppers is offering up to $1,000 for information leading to arrests
  • The service is free and requires no purchase or fee to participate, standard messaging rate and other fees may apply
  • No cell phone information is collected by the CPD as part of the program
  • The CPD wants information on every type of crime and is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
  • For additional information visit: www.chicagopolice.org/txt2tip

Chicago Fire Department Update

• The District Chief position is now open
• Final open enrollment Fire Safety Director class of the year on October 22 – 24

Chicago Office of Emergency Management Update

• Drill notifications by the private sector are improving overall
• Emergency Operations Center (EOC) activated for marathon and other large activities

Other things to note:

• The Chicago Marathon and Columbus Day parade were successful with minimal incidents
• Rally at Heritage Park on Friday, October 18th
• Art in the Dark Halloween parade on Saturday, October 19th
• Light the Night at Soldier Field on Saturday, October 19th

As always, if you “See Something, Say Something”. For life-threatening emergencies, call 911. To report suspicious activity, call 855-RPRT-2-S4  (855-777-8274).

Protest and demonstrations are common in Chicago, most are publicized allowing security staff and law enforcement to assess in advance how and if they should prepare. This week, the Extinction Rebellion Chicago is holding a protest on October 18th from 3:00 – 7:00 pm at Heritage Green Park, 610 West Adams St, Chicago IL 60661.

This specific protest activity is related to climate change and the group will assemble for their campaign “Sound The Alarm: International Rebellion Finale”. Please notify your building teams and be on alert as this protest is taking place.

Consider the following when preparing for civil unrest or protest activity:

• Set, review and practice emergency lockdown procedures
  • If a demonstration forms outside your building be prepared to quickly lockdown the building, only allowing access to tenants
  • Establish a system or process to notify tenants of protest or building lockdown activity
  • Program your access control system to lock all exterior doors upon demand
  • Practice lockdown procedures including securing the perimeter with security officers or building staff and designating a point of ingress away from the demonstration for tenants to use
• Establish communication with local law enforcement
  • If protests are violent or taking place on private property contact law enforcement immediately
  • Maintain regular communication with law enforcement throughout the incident
• Remain peaceful and calm, do not provoke or become violent, attempt to defuse and resolve the situation

As always, if you “See Something, Say Something”. For life-threatening emergencies, call 911. To report suspicious activity, call 855-RPRT-2-S4  (855-777-8274).

Developing a resilient office safety culture should be an essential part of any company or organization’s long-term goals. A company or organization with an active safety culture provides an abundance of safety training and development opportunities for all employees to ensure everyone has a chance to learn best practices.

Safety Culture Values

A safety culture consists of shared principles, practices and beliefs that exist at an organization or company, and form an atmosphere of approaches that positively shape behavior. An organization’s safety culture is a result of the following factors:

• Management and employee ideologies and beliefs
• Management and employee attitudes toward safety
• Myths and assumptions
• Policies and procedures
• Supervisor priorities, responsibilities, and accountability
• Actions or lack thereof to correct unsafe behaviors
• Employee training and development
• Employee involvement and buy-in during the process

A company or organization should emphasize the importance of attending regular safety and emergency response training sessions to make sure all employees are prepared.

Tips to Promote a Safety Culture at your Company

• Develop a site safety plan including key policies, goals, measures, and strategic and operational plans.
• Encourage all employees to watch out for others. In doing so, promote safety responsibilities for all levels of the organization.
• Provide regular safety training sessions and host emergency response training.
• Align management and supervisors by establishing a shared vision of safety and security goals
• If possible, management should make themselves available during worker orientation and introduction sessions to share values of workplace safety.
• The company or organization should demonstrate a commitment to employee safety by implementing safe work practices and advocating a mentality that unsafe actions are not acceptable.
• Make safety a regular part of workplace communications.
• Provide an open line of communication that encourages employees to report safety concerns that they encounter and have a system that allows responses to be made in a timely fashion.
• Develop a system for tracking and ensuring the timeliness of safety issues.
• Revise incentives and disciplinary systems to accommodate safety concerns.

As always, if you “See Something, Say Something”. For life-threatening emergencies, call 911. To report suspicious activity, call 855-RPRT-2-S4 (855-777-8274).

There are reports that at least two people have been killed in a shooting near a synagogue in the eastern German city of Halle. German police have so far arrested one person and other perpetrators are being pursued. There are currently no tips or leads that indicate threats to the Chicagoland area. It is important however to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities that you notice to your local law enforcement agencies.

Below are tips and considerations on how to prepare for a terrorist act.

Before a Terrorist Attack

• Create an emergency communication plan
  • Choose an out of town contact your household will call to check on should a disaster occur, this contact should live far enough away that they would be unlikely to be directly affected by the same event
• Establish a meeting place
  • Have a predetermined meeting place away from your home
• Be prepared to do without services you normally depend on
  • Electricity, telephone, natural gas, gasoline, ATM’s and the internet
• Assemble an emergency preparedness kit
  • Prepare a disaster supplies kit in an easy to carry container such as a duffel bag
  • Include special needs items, first aid supplies, a change of clothes for every member of the household, a sleeping bag for each, a battery-powered radio with extra batteries, food, bottled water, tools, cash and copies of important family documents
• Check on the school emergency plan of any school-age children you have
  • Will the school keep the children until a guardian arrives or send them home on their own
• Make sure your employer has up to date information about any medical needs and how to contact your beneficiaries

During a Terrorist Attack

• Remain calm and be patient
• Move or leave if something does not seem right
• Follow the advice of local emergency officials
  • If asked to leave your home wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and sturdy shoes
  • Take your disaster supply kit
• Listen to your radio or television for updates
• Check for damage of your home using a flashlight, do not light matches or turn on electrical switches
  • Smell for gas leaks, if you smell gas turn off the main valve, open windows and get everyone outside quickly
  • Shut off any damaged utilities
• Call your family contact
• Check on your neighbors

After a Terrorist Attack

• Be aware of your surroundings
  • Look for downed power lines, gas leaks and damaged buildings that may be structurally unsound
• Check for injuries
  • Provide first aid and get help for those seriously injured
• Follow the advice of local emergency officials
  • Listen for evacuation routes, don’t take shortcuts as they may be dangerous
• Workplaces and schools may be closed

As always, if you “See Something, Say Something”. For life-threatening emergencies, call 911. To report suspicious activity, call 855-RPRT-2-S4  (855-777-8274).

The 42nd Annual Bank of America Chicago Marathon will take place on Sunday, October 13, 2019. The Marathon will begin with the wheel chair participants at approximately 7:20 a.m., the main race starts at 7:30 a.m. Titan would like to provide the following information to keep both spectators and runners safe and provide up-to-date information on events surrounding the marathon.

More than 45,000 runners from 134 countries will be running on Sunday. There are expected to be an estimated 1.7 million spectators. The course runs through 29 neighborhoods in Chicago and is approximately 26.2 miles in length. Extending north to Sheridan Road, west to Damen Avenue and south to 35th Street.

Click here to download the Chicago Marathon App which features runner tracking, real-time weather updates, an interactive map and more.

Starting Times for the Chicago Marathon are as follows:

    7:20 a.m. – Men’s Wheelchair Start

    7:21 a.m. – Women’s Wheelchair Start

    7:22 a.m. – Handcycle Start

    7:23 a.m. – Athletes with disabilities

    7:30 a.m. – Wave 1 Start (Red)

    8:00 a.m. – Wave 2 Start (Blue)

    8:35 a.m. – Wave 3 Start (Orange)

Road Closures

No parking zones go into effect at 1:00 am on Sunday, October 13, 2019. Be on the look-out for no parking zones in your neighborhood and areas through which the marathon runs through. Street closures will occur between 7:00 am and 3:30 pm on the day of the event. However, the roads that run through Grant Park are expected to be closed longer. The streets will re-open approximately 15 minutes after the last runner passes through (based off of a 15 minute per mile pace). The Chicago Police Department will be enforcing road closures and ensuring the safety of participating runners.

Click here to view a map with the full list of road closures.

Recommended Spectator Viewing Areas:

Starting Line: To view runners closest to the start of the race, go to Grand Avenue, between Columbus Drive and State Street, near Mile 1, or anywhere along State Street, between Grand Avenue and Jackson Boulevard. Note that spectators are not able to escort runners to the start line or greet runners at the finish line.

Finish Line: To view runners closest to the finish of the race, go to the Bank of America   Cheer Zone at Michigan Avenue and Roosevelt Road. After the race, spectators should plan to meet runners at the reunite area in Butler Field, located north of Jackson Drive, between Columbus Drive and Lake Shore Drive.

Click here to download the Chicago Marathon course map.

Private Security Partners

• Report suspicious packages and behavior, make sure staff know it is common for marathon runners to stash gear along the route
• Focus security cameras towards race and critical assets, ensure your DVR is recording and that staff are trained on gathering video.
• Please consider staffing camera control rooms even if not generally staffed on the weekend
• If you have uniformed security personnel, please place them in forward positions along the race route
• Minimize the number of false suspicious activity calls by notifying the police if you are using undercover personnel

Safety Tips

• If you see something suspicious, report it
• Carry water and stay hydrated
• Choose a landmark to meet at in case you are separated from your group
• Utilize the buddy system
• Remain alert and be observant of surroundings
• Leave any valuables at home
• Do not jump any barricades
• Secure handbags and wallets
• Stay calm and pleasant
• Follow your own instincts
• Leave yourself room to move quickly
• If you see an unattended bag, alert police as quickly as possible

Prohibited Items

The following items are prohibited before entering Grant Park.

• Alcoholic beverages
• Animals/pets (except for service animals)
• Bicycles
• Bulky outfits extending beyond the perimeter of the body, props and non-running equipment
• Chairs
• Costumes covering the face
• Hard-sided coolers
• Illegal substances
• Large bags (backpacks, suitcases and rolling bags)
• Remote-controlled aircrafts and drones
• Weapons

As always, if you “See Something, Say Something”. For life-threatening emergencies, call 911. To report suspicious activity, call 855-RPRT-2-S4 (855-777-8274).

The Titan Security Group attended the Chicago Public/Private Task Force Meeting on October 3, 2019.  Below is a recap of what was discussed during the meeting.

Chicago Fired Department: nothing to report

Chicago Police, 1st District

• Special events are a focus, including the upcoming Chicago Marathon
• Overall crime is down 11% year-to-date
• District tech center has been delayed
• Burglary is up slightly

Chicago Police, 12th District: nothing to report    

Chicago Police, 18th District

• Anticipating a 10/26 anti-Trump protest
• Major push for FIMS/CP3 registration

Federal Bureau of Investigation: nothing to report

CPIC Fusion Center

• FIMS/CP3, concerns regarding Joker movie and possible violence

Office of Emergency Management and Communications

• Lake Shore Drive closed for 2 hours early Thursday morning due to flooding
• EOC will be active for Marathon with seat for private sector

Multiple special events approaching, including:

• Chicago Marathon: October 13 – throughout Chicago
• Columbus Day Parade: October 14 – State Street
• Halloween Gather & Parade: October 19 – Millennium Park
• Hot Chocolate Run: November 3 – Grant Park
• Tree Lighting Ceremony: November 21 – Millennium Park
• Magnificent Mile Lights Festival: November 22 – Michigan Ave and Wacker Drive

As always, if you “See Something, Say Something”. For life-threatening emergencies, call 911. To report suspicious activity, call 855-RPRT-2-S4 (855-777-8274).