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 Chicago Teachers Union held a protest in the lobby of a downtown commercial high rise building. There were about 100 protesters that quickly entered the building, sat down, blocked entrances, and refused to leave despite being trespassers on private property. CPD assisted building management and security and was able to resolve the situation peacefully without any arrests but after over two (2) hours had passed. To read more about the Chicago Teachers Union protest, click here.
This specific protest activity is related to ongoing negotiations between the Chicago International Charter Schools and their teachers. Please notify your building teams and be on alert as more protests may occur throughout these negotiations.
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
If you have any questions or concerns regarding how to prepare or train for civil unrest or protest activity, please contact your Titan representative.